Mets rumors: Justin Upton, Jason Kubel

The New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks held discussions about sending either Justin Upton or Jason Kubel to Queens but the price for Upton was too high and Kubel was not viewed as a good fit, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:

#mets talked to AZ about upton/kubel. prospect/player price 2 high on @jus10up10, kubel not perfect fit.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 7, 2013

The Mets are the only team in baseball that has yet to add a player to their roster on a major-league deal this winter -- and reportedly have plenty of money left to spend -- so making room on the roster and the payroll for either player should be no problem. Upton is owed $38.5 million over the next three seasons, whereas Kubel is guaranteed just $7.5 million next season with an option for 2014.

Arizona went after top prospects -- the Rangers' Jurickson Profar and the Braves' Andrelton Simmons -- in their previous attempts to trade away Upton, so it would come as no surprise to learn that an attempt to acquire Zack Wheeler or new acquisitions Travis d`Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard made the Mets balk at a deal.

The Mets have already added two outfielders this winter -- Andrew Brown and Collin Cowgill -- but it is hard to see how either of those players can be viewed as an upgrade over their in-house options: Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Mike Baxter.

Heyman adds that -- in addition to outfield help -- the Mets are also looking for rotation and bullpen upgrades, which could come through free agency or the trade market. New York has been tied to Chris Young, Carl Pavano, and Shaun Marcum as rotation options.