Trade Rumors: New York Mets still interested in Didi Gregorius

Jul 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius (1) throws to first base for an out during the fourth inning against the against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Trade Deadline is fast approaching, and it is clear that the Snakes will be conservative sellers believing they have the talent to compete and win in 2015 as long as they can stay healthy. There are certain guys that won’t be traded, but one guy that we haven’t talked about a whole lot is Didi Gregorius, and a specific team that has wanted him for a long time.

The New York Mets have had a shortstop problem for a while, and have been interested in Didi. Last winter, Mets G.M Sandy Alderson tried to make a deal with Arizona, but talks ended because Didi and Chris Owings were in the middle of a shortstop competition.

New York Daily News Mets beat reporter, Andy Martino reported that the team is still interested in  the Diamondbacks young shortstop.

“The Mets also continue to monitor Arizona’s Didi Gregorius, although that franchise’s recent front office shakeup creates uncertainty. Sandy Alderson has long and complex relationships with both Kevin Towers, the D’Backs GM who worked under him in San Diego, and Tony LaRussa, the newly appointed “chief baseball officer” who managed in Oakland when Alderson was GM. At the moment, it is unclear to other teams which of the two would make a trade, anyway.”

Alderson is looking at others such as Stephen Drew of the Red Sox, but the Mets love Didi and have wanted him since last offseason. That means that the Dbacks could get a lot back in return. The thought was that Aaron Hill would be traded, and Didi would play second, but Aaron is hot, and Didi hasn’t had a great year.

I think this makes the possibility of a trade with New York more likely. I am going to play let’s make a deal, and tell you the only deal I would take for Didi. If the Mets are desperate for a SS now they will take this deal. Didi Gregorius for Mets catching prospect Kevin Plawecki.

He is struggling in Triple A hitting .234 with a .321 OBP, but he has a lot of upside, and Arizona has a wealth of middle infielders. On the other hand, the Dbacks don’t have a lot of catchers. Skylar Trahan is really struggling and there are no other catchers in teams top 20 prospects list.

Arizona would take a deal for Travis D’arnaud or Noah Syndergaard, but the Mets are not that desperate. It was reported recently that the Rockies and Mets are discussing a trade that would send Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to the Mets for pitching prospects. If that deal gains steam, than Didi to the Mets won’t happen, but Rockies ownership is not that bold. Most likely, Didi will be traded in the offseason but keep an eye on this rumor.

One Note: While names like Didi, Hill, and Prado are flying around the market, Arizona’s next move will likely come in the pen. Diamondbacks Team President Derrick Hall talked with 98.7 FM about that: “Our bullpen is so strong right now, even with the young pitchers and (other teams) know that, they know we have a lot of veterans as well,” Hall told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday. “I think teams that are having difficulties with their bullpen, they’re going be looking at us.