MLB News: Mets Scouting Gio Tonight
The Mets will be scouting the Triple-A start tonight by Gio Gonzalez according to Andy Martino of SNY. The veteran left-hander is pitching against Buffalo Bisons and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Gonzalez plans to opt-out of his deal with the Yankees if not added to the MLB roster on Saturday. Feinsand notes that the Yankees do not seemingly plan to add him.
Original Post – April 19, 12:41 p.m.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Yankees’ starter Gio Gonzalez has switched from being represented by Scott Boras to being represented by Creative Arts Agency, which has several deep ties within the Mets organization including their new GM, Brodie Van Wagenen.
Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that there’s an increasing sense that Gonzalez plans opting out of his deal with the Yankees.
Gonzalez, 32, was signed to a minor league deal by the Yankees in March. His contract included an opt-out if he was not in the Major Leagues by April 20. Gonzalez has been in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In three starts, he is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA over fifteen innings, but has allowed only two earned runs and struck out 18 in 11 innings in his last two starts.
Gonzalez went 10-11 with a 4.21 ERA last season, but posted a 2.13 ERA down the stretch for the Brewers in a playoff race. Gio has made eight career post-season starts, and two in the NLCS (with Milwaukee, of course).
Gonzalez would make a lot of sense for the Mets, especially with the struggles of Jason Vargas. A tie to CAA strengthens the Mets connection for Gonzalez, considering that the Mets currently employs numerous players represented by CAA including two of their highest paid players, Robinson Cano and Yoenis Cespedes. Both of whom had their contracts negotiated by Van Wagenen.
Obviously, the Yankees can just promote Gonzalez (or work out another deal) and he stays in the Bronx, but if he chooses to opt-out, the ties with the Mets run deeper than they will with any other team.