Word has it the Mets have been in close contact with the Mariners regarding a trade for Cliff Lee. Problem is, it's Niese they want.
…from what i can gather, the Mets and Mariners
have talked quite a lot about LHP Cliff Lee, however
the M’s continue to press for Jon Niese, who the Mets
have little interest in trading -Matthew Cerrone, Metsblog
I'd have to agree with Omar and Matt on this one. With that deadly cutter added to his repertoire, the sky is the limit for Niese. Why trade Niese for Lee when he could very well end up becoming the next Cliff Lee? Yes, Lee does throw a slider while Niese throws a cutter, but otherwise they're practically carbon copies. I just don't see the point in trading a lot of talent for a guy you'll have to sign to a $100 million contract when you can have the same guy, except a whole lot younger, for less than 20% of that price (projected over five years, which is the length Lee will likely sign for). Granted, Niese has nowhere near the results Lee has thus far. But it's hard to imagine Niese just falling off the map. His stuff is just too good.
