Just Mets

On Thursday, Sandy Alderson said he was not considering trading any of the young starting pitching in their starting rotation currently.

That would presumably include Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Noah Syndergaard.

Zack Wheeler is not among the current pitchers in the rotation – he is recovering from Tommy John Surgery and is expected to return in about 12 months.

And, both Andy Martino and Kristie Ackert of the Daily News say the Mets have been talking about Wheeler in trade discussions ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

While the Mets are unlikely to move him right now, it does show a willingness for the Mets to move one of their premier starting pitchers to acquire offense, and as Martino writes, perhaps a big piece this summer.

According to Martino, the Mets have discussed Wheeler in scenarios with the Reds, although there’s no specific deal being discussed between the two clubs at this time.

The Reds will presumably be looking to move some pieces ahead of the trade deadline. One of those pieces, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is OF Jay Bruce, although there is no reported connection between the Mets and Reds for Bruce.

Bruce, 28, has been productive for the Reds despite a high strikeout rate, posting a 120 OPS+ while hitting .251 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI this season. He’s actually hit left-handed pitching better than right-handed pitching although the bulk of his home runs have come against right-handed pitching.

However, Bruce has not been close to as good on the road as he has been at the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, which is a concern since that’s a hitters haven, and Citi Field isn’t quite the same.

All things being equal, acquiring Bruce would’ve allowed the Mets to put Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer in a platoon, which would help protect Granderson’s ineffectiveness against left-handed pitching. But of course, Cuddyer is out indefinitely with a bone bruise. So things are not equal at the moment.

Still, Bruce is a good right fielder with an outstanding arm. He would also serve as a big defensive upgrade in the outfield, which goes along with their need to prevent more runs thanks to a mostly poor all-around defense – the outfield included – currently being fielded on a daily basis.

Is Bruce worth dealing someone like Wheeler for? The splits are a concern, but he is a much more complete player than any of their current options. Perhaps the Reds would kick in some money in this theoretical deal, but that remains to be seen as well.

Bruce is owed about $5 million in 2015 and $12.5 million in 2016. The Reds hold a $13 million option with a $1 million buyout for 2017.