Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
LAS VEGAS - As the industry trickles into the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in advance of Monday's winter meetings, the Mets' highest-profile pursuits have lost a degree of momentum, at least temporarily.
The team is highly motivated to acquire Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, but the Marlins' steep asking price has left some Mets people feeling less optimistic about a deal getting done. Because nearly half the league wants Realmuto, the Marlins feel justified in asking for two controllable major league pieces, like Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo (Michael Conforto has only three years of control remaining before free agency, so he is less of a fit for the rebuilding Marlins).
Despite the tricky fit, expect GM Brodie Van Wagenen to continue to explore every possible way to make a Realmuto deal work.
Meanwhile, trade talks regarding Noah Syndergaard and Indians ace Corey Kluber have also cooled. As SNY reported, the Padres told the Mets they would not trade top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. The Mets feel that if they are going to move Syndergaard, they need a slam-dunk return.
One executive cautioned not to sleep on a Syndergaard trade completely, because his market could reheat when teams begin meeting with one another on Monday.
The Mets have been unable to get close to a match with Cleveland on Kluber.