New York Daily News

Nimmo’s on the money

-

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Sandy Alderson tried to win back a few back pages from the Yankees Sunday night. The Mets GM deadpanned that the team did not explore a trade with the Marlins for slugger Giancarlo Stanton, because “with Brandon Nimmo in right field, we just didn’t feel we had a need there.”

Alderson, however, immediatel­y clarified it before the battalions of Mets fans could light up their cybertorch­es and hit Twitter. Alderson admitted the Mets didn’t like Stanton’s huge, back-loaded contract.

“I am kidding,” Alderson said with a chuckle. “I’m kidding. We like Brandon. Believe me, we like Brandon. I didn’t think given the contract, the variety of circumstan­ces that it made sense for us to feign any interest in Stanton for purposes of public consumptio­n.”

As all of baseball gathered at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resort Sunday for the annual MLB Winter Meetings, the Yankees were planning a big press conference here today to officially announce that the 2017 National League MVP will be playing in pinstripes next season.

Alderson has a need in the outfield. He reiterated Sunday that Michael Conforto, who the Mets eventually see as their right fielder of the future, will probably not be ready for opening day. Conforto, the Mets’ sole All Star last season, had surgery to repair a torn shoulder capsule.

“There’s not a setback, that’s just my belief,” Alderson said.

big DEaLs HangoVER

Alderson said that with Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani announcing he will sign with the Angels on Friday and the Yankees wrapping up Stanton, he expects the free agent and trade market to kick into full swing this week.

The Mets did make a presentati­on to Ohtani, but kept working the phones while those two dramas played out on the national stage. Two sources confirmed that they have talked to the Tigers about Ian Kinsler and a trade for the second baseman is still a possibilit­y. They have inquired about infielder Josh Harrison with the Pirates. The Mets will also do their due diligence in checking with the Marlins about Starlin Castro, after the Stanton deal is finalized.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States