May 15, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez (55) checks his mask after being struck in the face against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE
The New York Mets have Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez at the "top of their wish list" but are not willing to part with a big prospect for his services, reports Joel Sherman of the NY Post.
Colorado really likes both Triple-A center fielder Matt Den Dekker and lefty reliever Josh Edgin. But [Mets GM] Sandy Alderson told The Post last week that he could not envision trading any prospects he projects to help the team between now and 2014.
Instead of dealing a prospect, the Mets are looking to provide the Rockies with some salary relief, offering to take on most---but not all---of the $6.4 million Hernandez is owed this season and the next.
The 36-year-old Hernandez, currently on the disabled list with a strained left hand, is hitting .215/.260/.398 in just 27 games this season. The veteran owns a career .265/.329/.419 line in 14 big league seasons.
Looking for a right-handed bat to complement Josh Thole, Hernandez is not the only catcher in whom the Mets are interested. Sherman reports the team is also looking at Boston's Kelly Shoppach and Seattle's Miguel Olivo as possible upgrades at backstop.
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Who would be the biggest upgrade? Hernandez, Shoppach or Olivo?
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