No change in Mets' level of interest in Tulo

CHICAGO -- Despite Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores' recent struggles, along with speculation that four-time National League All-Star Troy Tulowitzki may soon ask the Rockies for a trade, the Mets have not altered their stance on making a big-splash deal at the position. A team source said Wednesday that nothing has changed since the offseason, when the Mets harbored only cursory interest in Tulowitzki.

The New York Post reported earlier this week that Tulowitzki will meet with his agent on Thursday, and could ask for a trade at that time. But the Mets are not willing to dip into their stash of top-flight starting-pitching depth to acquire him, particularly considering how quickly that depth has dwindled.

Injuries to Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee and Rafael Montero recently prompted the Mets to promote top overall prospect Noah Syndergaard to the Majors, leaving -- amongst the Mets' big league-ready talent -- only left-hander Steven Matz, ranked the third-best prospect in the system by MLB.com -- in the Minors.

Then there is the matter of salary. Tulowitzki is due a minimum of $118 million through 2020, at which point he will be 36 years old. Flores, by contrast, is 23 and will earn close to the Major League minimum this year and next. That is significant for a Mets team that continues to value payroll flexibility, clearing $100 million on Opening Day for the first time since 2011.

But it is obvious why a deal might seem tempting, particularly given Tulowitzki's reported availability. Flores is struggling, particularly on defense, where he entered Wednesday's play with seven errors in 27 games, while Tulowitzki, a two-time NL Gold Glove Award winner, has four errors in 26 games. The Rockies' shortstop entered Wednesday batting .298 with two home runs and a .786 OPS, compared to Flores' .245 average, four home runs and .712 OPS.

Still, the Mets do not believe the upgrade is worth what it would cost them in young, controllable pitchers such as Syndergaard or Matz -- the same thought process that prevented them from seriously pursuing Tulowitzki this past offseason.