According to SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo, the Mets have inquired about Jon Niese, and the team may be interested in Mark Melancon.

Niese makes a lot of sense for the Mets.  With the Mets not knowing when and if Zack Wheeler can come back this year and Steven Matz dealing with bone spurs in his elbow, it would not hurt for them to have some insurance in their starting rotation even if it is Niese, who was dreadful as a starting pitcher this year.  The hope is that Niese could get back to what he was with the Mets when he is once again working with Dan Warthen.  It is also possible that Niese could pitch out of the bullpen for the Mets as he did so well for them last year.

Niese was demoted to the bullpen by the Pirates, and he has made four appearance so far pitching well.  He is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.080 WHIP.

On the other hand, it is hard to believe the Mets could also acquire the pending free agent Melancon from the Pirates even if it was a package deal to take on both Niese and Melancon.  Melancon is having another outstanding year as the Pirates closer going 1-1 with 30 saves, a 1.51 ERA, and a 0.960 WHIP in 45 appearance.  Either this is a ploy to drive up the price of Melancon as the Nationals are interested in him, or it’s the Mets trying to get him on the cheap by having the Pirates try to package him with Niese.  It is doubtful the Mets would give up the prospects necessary to land him to have him set up for Jeurys Familia.

The Mets are apparently more interested in a bat now due to Juan Lagares‘ injury.  In other news, the Mets were interested in Steve Pearce, but they have found the Rays asking price to be too high.  The Mets have also inquired on Jay Bruce as insurance for Yoenis Cespedes for both this year and the next. It should be noted that the Reds turned down a Bruce for Wheeler deal last year that resulted in the Mets acquiring Cespedes for Michael Fulmer last year at the trading deadline.

The Reds are also dangling Ross Ohlendorf, Blake Wood, and Tony Cingrani in the hopes of making a deal to alleviate some payroll for next year.  There are no reports that the Reds have discussed any of these relievers with the Mets in a deal that could or could not involve Jay Bruce.  However, we do know that the Reds have been scouting Kevin Plawecki for some reason or another.

If the Mets were able to move Plawecki for a Cingrani or a Wood, they have to consider it as they are both having good years out of the pen. Wood has made 44 appearances going 5-1 with one save, a 3.42 ERA, a 1.500 WHIP, and an 8.6 K/9.  Cingrani has made 46 appearances going 4-2 with 12 saves, a 3.20 ERA, a 1.267 WHIP, and a 6.4 K/9.  Both relievers are controllable past this year, and it appears as if Plawecki may never fulfill his offensive potential with the Mets.  It is worth a shot.