The NY Mets have been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason and now with Pete Kozma getting shopped by the Cardinals they have come up again, while names like Didi Gregorius from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Nick Franklin with the Seattle Mariners are other shortstop options the team could consider in a trade over starting Ruben Tejada on Opening Day in New York.
The Mets shopped Ike Davis all offseason and did not pull the trigger on a deal and for months they were linked to Stephen Drew as a shortstop option on the free agent market, but they disagreed about money and did not want to give up a draft pick as compensation. Now the Cardinals are once again shopping Kozma and this comes after the team previously spoke with other teams in the offseason about a possible trade and Troy Tulowitzki was a name that was mentioned for the Cards before they signed Jhonny Peralta.
The shopping of Kozma comes after the team signed Jhonny Peralta to a four year deal worth over $50 million and St. Louis feels that you don't pay a guy that money not to start, making Kozma expendable. According to Hardball Talk, the Cardinals are shopping him around to other teams and the Detroit Tigers could be a fit after what happened to Jose Iglesias, but so far they have now shown any overt interest in making a deal. The Tigers reportedly were interested in Franklin, but the Mariners have not made a move yet either.
Seattle is in a similar situation as the Cardinals, as they signed Robinson Cano to play second base and with Franklin there last season, he clearly will not be the starter. Franklin could have shifted to his natural position of shortstop, but Brad Miller was there last season and has been solid for the Mariners and that leaves Franklin as a man without a position. The Mariners have said that they will not simply give up Franklin and they are content with keeping him if they don't find a deal they like.
According to ESPN.com writer Adam Rubin, the Mets are more likely to go after Didi Gregorius with the Diamondbacks over Kozma despite the fact that they need a shortstop badly. He writes that the difference in offense between Tejada and Kozma is not much, so it really isn't worth it as an upgrade for the team. Last season he hit under .300 and is a .232 career hitting and while he is just 25-years-old, the team sees more potential in Gregorius. ESPN.com reported that Gregorius and Chris Owings have been battling for the starting job in Arizona, with Owings likely winning out and that could spark a trade for Gregorius to the Mets, as they would like someone other than Rueben Tejada to start the season.
The Mariners would like to make a deal for starting pitching and they could look to the Tigers or the Mets for someone to snag Franklin. Last season as a rookies he showed great power and a solid glove and he has been one of the best prospects for the Mariners over the last few years and they will not do a deal unless it's worth it.
