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Report: Mets 'Monitoring' Sluggers Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Gonzalez

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Mets' future is as bright as it has been in a long, long time.

But the age-old question remains: Do you keep blue-chip prospects and see them through, or do you trade them for proven talent?

The Amazin's have that question to ponder. New York is lacking power in its lineup, and it's no secret that it could use a big bat -- optimally an outfielder -- to slot in the middle of the order in between David Wright and Ike Davis.

And that brings us to Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Mets are continuing to "monitor the situation" surrounding Stanton. Though Miami didn't deal the 23-year-old this offseason even after its fire sale that included Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, it has been widely speculated that the Marlins would deal Stanton for the right offer.

Martino believes that trading for Stanton would almost certainly cost New York top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler and top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud.

So would they be willing to pull the trigger?

"In a heartbeat," one Mets official told Martino. "Nothing against those kids, but it's Giancarlo."

Another Mets official agreed that Alderson would have to make that deal.

"If you could do that, you would have to," the second official told Martino. "You trade the pitcher for the everyday player almost every time. You can figure the catching out later. You have John Buck now. And hey, Brian McCann is going to be a free agent."

Wheeler is 22, but Stanton is actually younger than the 24-year-old d'Arnaud.

"Wheeler and d'Arnaud for Stanton? I would say the Mets might have to give up more than that," a scout told Martino.

In three major league seasons coming in 2013, Stanton has hit .268 with 93 home runs and 232 RBIs, posting a .350 on-base percentage. The right-handed hitter has struggled mightily thus far in 2013, though he's on an island in Miami's subpar lineup. The California native is just 5-for-30 this season with no homers and no RBIs.

Stanton isn't the only power bat who the Mets have their eye on.

New York is also "monitoring" Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to Martino. CarGo was an All-Star last season and won the National League batting title in 2010.

The sixth-year player is batting .286 with three homers and five RBIs for the Rockies in 2013, and has batted .299 with 102 dingers in his career.

Would you trade Zack Wheeler and Travis d'Arnaud for Giancarlo Stanton? Let us know in the comments section below...

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