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New York Mets Rumors: Brett Gardner An Obvious Fit?

By Mark Suleymanov
Published on: 08:31 PST, Nov 22, 2015

The New York Mets are searching for a defensively capable and left-handed help in centerfield and New York Yankees’ outfielder Brett Gardner fits the bill, John Harper writes in his latest column for the New York Daily News.

Gardner, 32, has been the subject of a plethora of trade rumors this offseason. The Yankees are said to be exploring upgrades for their starting rotation, and Gardner is viewed as a potential trade chip. Those rumors intensified after the Yankees traded catcher John Ryan Murphy to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for outfielder Aaron Hicks, as previously reported by the Inquisitr.

With Hicks’ presence, the Yankees’ veteran Gardner becomes a bit more expendable, and the Mets’ need for help in the centerfield makes them a match.

Heading into 2016, rookie sensation Michael Conforto and veteran Curtis Granderson and slated to play left and right field, respectively. With midseason acquisition Yoenis Cespedes likely to depart, that leaves 2014 National League Gold Glove winner Juan Lagares as the Mets’ primary option in centerfield. An injury-riddled 2015 saw Lagares’ playing time diminish and his struggles versus right-handed pitching exploited.

The 26-year-old hit just.253 against right-handed pitchers and only got on base at a.271 clip. When facing same-sided pitchers, Lagares hit.273 with a.333 on-base percentage.

Due to those struggles, the Mets are reportedly looking for a left-handed swinging compliment to Lagares.

Gardner enjoyed an overall productive 2015 season, hitting.259 with 16 HR and 66 RBI. But he struggled mightily after the All-Star break, bringing his overall numbers on the season down significantly. Therefore, a platoon with Lagares could help Gardner stay healthy and more productive, thus lowering the chances of another second-half dip in production.

As Harper writes in his column, the discussion has been that the Mets trade oft-injured starter Zack Wheeler to Yankees in exchange for Gardner. The Mets have shown a willingness to part with Wheeler in the past.

At the trade deadline in 2015, the Mets reportedly agreed on a trade that would send Wheeler and infielder Wilmer Flores to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Carlos Gomez. Due to questions about Gomez’ health, the deal fell through, and the Mets acquired Cespedes one day later.

Since Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2015 season, he is expected to return sometime in late June or July of 2016. The flamethrower would obviously not help the Mets or Yankees to start the 2016 season, but rather serve as a midseason upgrade.

In his two-year showcase with the Mets from 2013-14, Wheeler compiled an 18-16 record with a 3.50 ERA in 49 career starts. The 25-year-old also displayed solid strikeout abilities, as evidenced by his career 8.55 K/9 total.

Early talk from the Mets’ camp indicates that they are not shopping Wheeler actively, but will listen to offers that make them a better team. But dealing Wheeler to their crosstown rivals might sting for several reasons.

For starters, Gardner is still owed $37.5 million over the next three seasons. The Mets have historically been as frugal as possible, trying not to spend exorbitant sums of money. Therefore, paying the remainder of that salary for a productive, but older, player seems unlikely.

Also, as Harper writes in his column, people around the Mets would be hurt to see one of their promising young starters develop into a Cy Young award winning starter for another team in the same city. Therefore, a trade seems unlikely at best at this time.

For the Yankees, their preference is to acquire pitching in any potential Gardner trade, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.

As for the Mets, there are players with similar skill-sets to Gardner on the free agent market right now. Gerardo Parra and Denard Span are both left-handed hitting outfielders who could platoon with Lagares in centerfield.

[Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images]

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