New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has said that despite growing trade interest in him, top prospect Amed Rosario is going nowhere.
As the hot stove of the MLB offseason is just beginning to burn, the New York Mets and general manager Sandy Alderson are starting to unveil who’s unavailable to the trade market.At the top of that list is 2016 MLB.com‘s No. 11 major league prospect in shortstop Amed Rosario.
“We’ve made it clear before and continue to make it clear when his name is mentioned,” Alderson said at this year’s Winter Meetings. “So I think clubs have gotten the message.”
Before trading closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler, the Kansas City Royals asked the Mets for Rosario, but Alderson was completely unwilling to budge.
The 21-year-old shortstop played between Advanced-A and Double-A ball last season, firing up the prospect ranks after a strong year. Rosario hit a combined .324 with 24 doubles, 13 triples, five home runs, 71 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 40 walks in 479 at-bats.
“He can be an outstanding player,” said Alderson. “I think that is why he is considered our No. 1 prospect, at a premium position. And, I think it’s going to be exciting to see him in spring training.”
Rosario is widely expected to take over the starting shortstop spot for the Mets on Opening Day 2018. Incumbent Asdrubal Cabrera‘s contract has a team option for 2018, but his guaranteed deal ends after next season, just in time for Rosario to make his debut.
While he’s played shortstop for his entire four-year professional career in the Mets’ farm system, Alderson subsequently stated that Rosario will be given time at other positions next season as well, in an effort to increase his versatility.
“We know what he can do at shortstop, so we want to move him around while he’s still in the minor leagues in order to prepare him to fill a hole potentially at more than shortstop at the major league level, even if on a temporary basis,” Alderson said.
With the injury possibilities very high on third baseman David Wright, second baseman Neil Walker and Cabrera, getting Rosario work all over the infield can only help him and the team should any major disabled list trips be necessary in 2017.
So Mets fans get ready. The future is almost here.
