Report: Mets could find trade partner in Mariners as shortstop search continues

The New York Mets could approach the Seattle Mariners about a potential trade this winter as they continue to search for a long-term solution at shortstop, sources told ESPN's Adam Rubin.

The Mets have struggled to find a permanent shortstop since Jose Reyes departed following the 2011 campaign, rotating mainly through an assortment of replacement-level players over the last few seasons. Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada received the bulk of the playing time last year, but neither are viewed as long-term options at shortstop despite respectable performances in 2014.

Even after shipping Nick Franklin to the Tampa Bay Rays in July, the Mariners still have Brad Miller and Chris Taylor on their 40-man roster, both of whom could be attractive to the Mets.

Selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, Miller hit .221/.288/.365 with 10 home runs over 123 games with the Mariners in 2014 and boasts a 98 OPS+ over parts of two seasons in the majors. Taylor, meanwhile, hit .287/.347/.346 with eight doubles over 47 games last year in his first stint at the big-league level.