Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Mets are sending their most trusted evaluator, former GM Omar Minaya, to scout the Triple-A debut of Yankees pitching prospect Deivi Garcia on Monday night, according to major league sources.
The Yankees promoted Garcia, their top pitching prospect, after he started the Futures Game in Cleveland last week. At 20 years old, Garcia is the youngest player in Triple-A.
The Mets and Yankees have had many discussions about Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler, stretching back to last winter. The Yankees will not trade Garcia for a rental player like Wheeler, who will be a free agent after this season.
Wheeler is on the IL with shoulder fatigue, but is expected to return in time to pitch at least once befor the July 31 trade deadline.
The Mets have done extensive background work many Yankees prospects lately, but, per sources, the sides are far apart on talks and not currently optimistic.
Rivals in touch with the Mets say that their asking price for Wheeler is very high. The Mets are getting calls on Syndergaard, but are reluctant to trade him during the season, sources say. It would likely take a Syndergaard, under control for two more seasons after this one, to get the Yankees to consider moving Garcia.