Let us now resume our pursuit of a new shortstop

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Carig says the Mets are very open sexually or otherwise to outfielders.

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Mets will be aiming high on the offensive front, with Justin Upton and ex-Met property Carlos Gomez said to be on their radar. Upton and Gomez are seen as difference makers in an otherwise less-than-robust offensive market, though Upton, uncharacteristically, hasn't really hit lefthanders this year (.484 OPS) ... They talked to the Brewers about Aramis Ramirez but would only have interest if there's more bad news on David Wright. Mets people are hoping Wright (spinal stenosis) can transition from back rehab in California to Port St. Lucie within a couple weeks, though it's said to very much be "up in the air." If he can't, they will need to get a third baseman, as they prefer to move Daniel Murphy off third ... The Mets may still look at Segura, but he's seen as more of a fallback option for them ... Untouchable for the Mets: the big four pitchers ... The Braves have suggested Uribe, but the Mets haven't shown much interest to this point

[TransMonk]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: ... Untouchable for the Mets: the big four pitchers ...

That's all I want to hear. I'll be happy with whatever they do (or don't do) as long as they keep the big four intact.

[ashie62]

I suspect John Smoltz might agree with you.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Of course, only three of the Big Four are tradeable at this point: Syndergaard, Harvey, and deGrom. Matz is on the DL (that's the Disabled List, not the "down low"). And Wheeler, of course, is the fifth guy in the Big Four and he can't be dealt either.

I have to say, I wouldn't be too upset if the Mets traded Harvey for a kickass power-hitting outfielder who's 26 years old and three or four years away from free agency.

[Edgy MD]

Matz will be off the DL before the deadline hits. And he can also be dealt as a PtBNL.

Just a little surprised to hear he's achieved the same untouchability status as their other top pitching assets. Wheeler is no longer particuarly big, it would seem.

[Gwreck]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I have to say, I wouldn't be too upset if the Mets traded Harvey for a kickass power-hitting outfielder who's 26 years old and three or four years away from free agency.

If you know of one, please let us know!

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm probably the last person here who would know of one!

[DocTee]

I'd deal Harvey for Kris Bryant NOW!

[Edgy MD]

Reports bounced around today that the Mets have inquired about Andrelton Simmons, but found the Braves' asking price too high. I think the initial reports came from Buster Olney.

Met-hatin' Met fans all over the web scoffed that it must've been a short conversation. But the Braves front office has certainly proven its willingness to deal off the contracts of outsted GM Frank Wren, and I can't see any reason that wouldn't include the arbitration-eliminating deal Simmons signed. He's declined at the plate from mediocre to poor the last two years, even as he's solidified his position as top dog defensively.

Anyhow, cool that they inquired a few days before the deadline, giving either party an opportunity to come back to the table.

[Zvon]

DocTee wrote: I'd deal Harvey for Kris Bryant NOW!

This would be tempting. Especially if Wright is done.

[Frayed Knot]

So I got to thinking about our pre-season SS wants and as to where some of those dreamboats rank now that we're ~2/3 of the way through the season.

As ranked by OPS, ML shortstops with 300+ ABs

Ian Desmond = 20th
Jean Segura = 21st
Alexi Ramirez = 22nd
Starlin Castro = 23rd

... that's out of 23 who qualify.

Flores (though to be fair not a full-time SS) is 12th and Tejada (45 ABs short of qualifying) would be right behind him.