There are six clubs interested in Mets outfielder Alejandro De Aza, according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin (via Twitter). But New York is apparently waiting for an offer to take on all of the $5.75MM he is owed for the coming season.
It’s an unusual situation, of course, because De Aza signed on with the Mets before the team dramatically re-united with Yoenis Cespedes. While he had been expected to platoon with Juan Lagares in center, De Aza now looks to be be an expensive fifth outfielder — with two other left-handed hitters (Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson) in front of him in the corners.
De Aza, who’ll soon turn 32, is a solid outfield option who can play all three positions on the grass (though he’s hardly a premium defender up the middle). He handles right-handed pitching while struggling against lefties, so there are limits to his usefulness, but on the whole he’s a nice piece in the right situation. For what it’s worth, De Aza has seven hits (including two doubles) and two walks in his 16 spring plate appearances to date, so he’s off to a nice start.
There aren’t very many teams with glaring outfield needs at this stage of the winter, so finding a taker for all of De Aza’s salary may prove difficult (and he’ll also need to approve any spring trade). The Indians remain the expected contender in most obvious need of an outfield addition, though it’s not clear that the club would be willing to take on that much cash. The Angels have also been hesitant to add any more salary, but could surely justify such an addition. If the Royals are more concerned with Jarrod Dyson’s health than is publicly known, they too could conceivably match. And arguments might possibly be made for a few other organizations, including the Blue Jays (who pursued Jay Bruce previously) and the Cardinals — who could use the depth in center and whose top left-handed-hitting outfield options are Brandon Moss, who hasn’t spent all that much time in the grass, and minor league signee Carlos Peguero.
For those eagle-eyed readers who noticed that Denard Span was incorrectly chosen for the original featured image: he came up mistakenly in an image search (De Az is all I typed, apparently, catching “AZ” and the beginning of his name), and I chose too quickly. Fixed now!
Who are the six interested teams?
De Aza has to consent to a trade prior to June 1st (or 15th) correct?
Unless theyve changed the rules he cant be traded before June period.
“solid outfield option “….ROTFL!
The Giants and Red Sox both traded for him last year and the defending NL champs gave him nearly 6 mil to be a 3rd/4th OF, but I’m sure you know better.
If you really wanna die laughing consider that last season he OPS’d 50-75 points higher than both the White Sox starting corner OF (Melky, Garcia) last year. Now THAT is comedy.
It’d be in the post if it had been reported or if we had information beyond the speculation/observation I gave.
He can play all three positions “on the grass”? As compared to artificial turf? Or he can play after smoking the doobie? Seriously, since when did “on the grass” become jargon for playing outfield? Please stick with plain English rather than trendy (or wannabe trendy) jargon.
Lol u mad for no reason bro
What would be the potential player(s) the Mets would receive in a deal? If you don’t know, at least make an educated guess based on roster surpluses at the 6 teams. This piece makes it sound like the only issue is whether the Mets can find someone to take on the full salary.
Halos would not spend $10 to upgrade their roster.
I think the Mets are going to have to sell low on De Aza and pick up some of his salary.
I suggest they start a Dutch auction and offer him for 4 million this week. 3.5 million next week, 3 million in two weeks.
Unless they have changed the rules, they cant trade De Aza till June as there are no sign & trades in Baseball.
This doesnt make any sense. De Aza just signed in December, he cant be traded until JUNE, so why would they talk trade with any team now?
No. All he needs to do is agree to be traded.
He only needs to agree to the trade. He can be traded.
He can approve a trade before then. The team cannot trade him without that approval, however. He would likely approve a trade that leads to more playing time.
He can be traded, but only if he approves the trade. The rule is in place to protect the player, not prevent the trade. He would likely approve a trade leading to more playing time.
Yes he can approve it But why would he? He obviously wanted to go to NY, they offered him the best deal and he’s already made plans to go there. He has No real incentive to change teams now.
Trooper