After the free agent pitcher signings during the winter meetings, there were several teams without a new starting pitcher, that were really looking for one:
– Rangers
– Blue Jays
– Nationals
– Red Sox
As a direct consequence of that, plus some shopping by the Athletics, there have been a lot of rumors recently that Gio Gonzalez would be moved, and some of those rumors have involved the Mets trading Jon Niese. It has been mostly speculated that in this type of trade, the Mets would play the role of the third team and recieve a lot of prospects in return (as they have said they wouldn’t trade Niese unless it was for an impressive package). However recent events could make for an interesting few weeks involving trade rumors.
First, the Rangers won the rights to Yu Darvish. This will, as long as they sign him, take them out of the running for Gio Gonzalez. That leaves the race for Gio to be really down to the Nationals and Blue Jays (there have not been many reports yet of the Red Sox getting involved).
It was reported today that the Nationals are working really hard to get Gio Gonzalez in a 4 players for 1 type of deal with the Athletics (Ken Rosenthal). If this happens, then the Blue Jays become a lonely team.
The Jays then will be without Darvish, and without Gonzalez. Does this mean they would over trade for Niese? Honestly I have no idea. I’m not even sure I would be happy with any package for Niese because I see him as a critical member of this team down the road.
If Gonzalez is traded to the Nats though, you can basically guarentee that the Mets will be involved in trade rumors with the Jays.
(Side note: apparently the Mets are in talks about a few different trade possibilities with the Rockies, more to come)
