Veteran Gee Blocks Out The Trade Talk, Wants To Remain With Mets
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Dillon Gee knows there is no guarantee he will still be with the Mets by opening day.
With constant talk of trades swirling around him, the veteran right-hander said Monday all he can do is prepare for the season and be ready to take the ball whenever it's handed to him.
Speaking to reporters before a workout in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Gee said his goal is to remain a Met and be in the five-man rotation.
"I think we all know that at some point something like that might happen. Guys switch teams, that's just part of the game. It was kind of weird to see my name floating around a lot, but at the same time it doesn't change my offseason at all," Gee said. "I'm trying to get better every day and make sure I'm ready for the 2015 season, no matter where that is. I want to be here. This is kind of all I've known so far. But what happens is going to happen.
The problem for Gee is with the return of Matt Harvey from Tommy John surgery, the Mets appear to have six potential starters. So how the 28-year-old right-hander fits into the equation with Harvey, reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom, and veterans Zack Wheeler, Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese remains to be seen.
Gee started strong last season but an injury to his right lat cost him two months. He ended up going 7-8 with a 4.oo ERA in 22 starts. Now 100 percent healthy, he said he can already see himself rounding into top form.
"The ball is coming out good," Gee said.
Though the Mets had reportedly talked to several teams about Gee earlier in the offseason, a deal was never worked out and now it appears likely he could end up in the bullpen.
"That's not what I want to do," Gee said, "but I'm going to do the best I can in whatever role I'm given."
Entering his sixth major league season, Gee is 40-34 with a 3.91 ERA in 106 career appearances, including 103 starts.
