Mets open to trading Dillon Gee

Dillon Gee will likely open the 2015 season in New York's rotation, however he may not be starting for the Mets much longer. According to ESPN's Adam Rubin, the Mets are still open to trading Gee and could do so within the month even though there are currently no active trade talks involving him.

Gee, 28, is expected to be the Mets' fifth starter, however according to Rubin, there are members of the organization who would rather see prospect Rafael Montero open the season in New York's rotation. Montero will likely open the season in the bullpen, although Manager Terry Collins has yet to announce who the team's fifth starter will be.

New York has a notable amount of starting pitching depth, with Steven Matz, Matt Bowman, and Noah Syndergaard among the possible options if the Mets need a spot starter. The Mets lost Zack Wheeler to Tommy John surgery, but could be looking to move Gee because of his $5.3 million 2015 salary.

Gee was slated to open the season as a reliever, but after the Mets learned of Wheeler's torn ulnar collateral ligament, placed him back into the spring rotation. He allowed two runs in seven innings against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon and has posted a 2.49 Grapefruit League ERA. The club was not considering trading Gee in exchange for left-handed relief help and added left-handed bullpen depth by acquiring Alex Torres from the Padres on Monday afternoon.

While there are not any active discussions, Rubin notes, teams seeking starting pitching before Opening Day may be interested in Gee. The Blue Jays, Astros, Rangers, Braves, Phillies, Dodgers, and Rays could all make sense, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams.

After a solid 2013 campaign, Gee posted a 4.00 ERA and 4.52 FIP in 137.1 innings pitched last season. He is under team control through 2016, and has pitched to a career 3.91 ERA in 639.2 innings with New York.