Mets acquire Neil Walker from Pirates for Jonathon Niese

The Mets had been interested in Cabrera since the start of this offseason as they wanted to increase some of their versatility in the lineup.

Multiple reports are circulating that he Mets and Pirates are discussing a Jon Niese-for-Neil Walker trade.

Uribe would also be a great addition to the Mets in 2016 because of the intangibles he brings to the table. “Even when things were tough here, they were two guys who stood out and played well for us”.

The Mets got Walker a day after their No. 1 choice for a new second baseman, Ben Zobrist, signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs.

The Mets, as expected, were active players during the week’s meetings, as they attempt to improve a squad looking to avenge its World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Cabrera and Walker join an infield unit that already includes incumbents Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada, who will likely slide to the bench. “And trying to find pieces that allow us to do that is what we’ve been focused on”. Walker buys them a year to develop second-base prospect Dilson Herrera. With Walker’s splits being more favorable against right-handed hitting, the Mets could use Flores as the second baseman against lefties. He said that he will appreciate “the way (the Pirates) play defense”. The Mets turned around and acquired Yoenis Cespedes. Plus, you can forget about the Mets spending on Denard Span or Gerardo Parra, because the team’s payroll is now very close to what it was at the end of the 2015 campaign. Walker is a solid replacement for Daniel Murphy, as he will cost less this season and is a superior fielder and comparable, possibly better hitter.

Ricco added the team is searching for a veteran reliever who can pitch in the later innings alongside Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed. Ricco said NY hasn’t ruled out re-signing Bartolo Colon because he had success in a relief role in the postseason.

Furthermore, Cabrera and designated hitter John Jaso were the team’s only free agents in 2016. There is mutual interest in a reunion with Bartolo Colon, but Logan Verrett and Rafael Montero provide capable in-house options.

“He likes Pittsburgh”, Tom Walker said. “We still have more work to do over the next few weeks into spring training”.