Report: Mets Ask About Tulowitzki, Gonzalez

A report late Thursday night says the Mets have asked the Rockies about the availability of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.

Speculation is that Colorado will make one or both of them available at some point, although the owner of the Rockies is said to be very loyal and loves the players. The report in the New York Post claims that the Mets expressed interest; that if they are going to be dealt, the Mets want to know.

It is unclear if the Mets have the stomach to take on Tulowitzki’s contract — five years and at least $104 million. Tulowitzki is one of the top players in all of baseball when he is on the field. And that’s the problem — he cannot seem to stay healthy. The 30-year-old has started 140 games just three times in seven years, and he is on the disabled list right now.

Gonzalez has the same problem — he has started 140 games once in four full seasons. But he only has three years and $53 million left on his deal, so the risk is smaller.

Then there is the cost as far as players. The Mets would probably have to send a package of something like Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom or Zack Wheeler, perhaps Kevin Plawecki or Travis d’Arnaud, maybe Jonathon Niese or Dillon Gee and probably another top prospect to get Colorado to get Tulowitzki. Is that too much? Would the Mets trade a bulk of their future for one injury-prone superstar?

Gonzalez would cost less — maybe Wheeler and one of the catchers, and maybe another pitching prospect.

One National League executive told the Post, “because Colorado always needs to address pitching, I actually see the Mets as their perfect partner.”

Either player would fill a huge hole on the Mets — Tulowitzki at shortstop, Gonzalez in left — but at great cost to the team. You don’t want to empty the farm system, but falling in love with your prospects is a dangerous game. This is going to be a tough call for Sandy Alderson. Let’s hope he does not repeat his pattern of making the wrong decisions.