A three-team trade involving the Mets, Nationals and Rays, which included players Ian Desmond and Ben Zobrist, had been discussed recently, but fell through after the Mets balked at the Rays asking price, sources told FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal.
The talks unfolded with the Nationals trading Desmond to the Rays for Zobrist and Yunel Escobar, who were eventually traded to the Athletics on Saturday. The Rays would have then dealt Desmond to the Mets, who are looking for an upgrade at shortstop.
Unfortunately, the Mets chose not to pursue the deal after the Rays requested two top prospects from a list of three, which New York considered too much for Desmond, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season. The Rays' list included Mets top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard. It is not known who the other two targets were.
The Mets were also engaged with the Rays in a trade for Zobrist, but once again the Rays wanted two top prospects and the Mets did not want to make that deal. Zobrist will also be a free agent after the 2015 season.