Mets trying to trade Niese

DALLAS — The Mets are talking to multiple teams about Jonathon Niese, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Padres and Rockies showing the most interest, The Post has learned.

In fact, even the Yanks made a call to inquire about Niese, though there were no indications it was more than exploratory. In catching prospect Austin Romine, the Yanks have just the kind of player the Mets are looking for if they trade Niese: a young, inexpensive, controllable position player in an area of need.

The Mets believe they have a stable of high-end pitching on the horizon in Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and Zack Wheeler, but lack the same pedigree in near major-league ready position players.

Those high-end arms make Niese somewhat expendable and the Mets are looking to capitalize on a thin starting pitching market, especially short in talented youngsters several years from free agency. So the Mets want to, in the words of one of their executives, at least “kick the tires” to see what Niese can return. And they have found a few teams, notably Boston, Toronto, San Diego and Colorado, enticed by the possibility.

The Mets are trying to collect as much young talent as possible that will blossom together, forming the cornerstone for a sustained contender, they hope, no later than 2014.

In general, the Mets are letting inquiring teams know they would talk anyone on their roster except David Wright. What they want to obtain is high-ceiling players that they control deep into the future. Meanwhile, following the free-agent loss of Jose Reyes, the Mets do not appear willing to let Wright go as well and further alienate their fans.

* The A’s have gotten a lot of inquiries, including from the Yankees, about yet another lefty starter, Gio Gonzalez. However, Oakland officials said there is no way they would trade Gonzalez during the Winter Meetings and would not at all unless they were overwhelmed.

The Oakland executives said since Gonzalez is just 26 and not due to be a free agent until after the 2015 season that he would not lose much value, if at all, if the A’s waited until next year’s Winter Meetings to deal him; as long as he is not injured.

Oakland also did not think it would get a trade done at the Meetings for closer Andrew Bailey, but were much further along in those efforts. The Red Sox are known to be interested.

Reyes deal sets off Ramirez

Jose Reyes’ arrival clearly has annoyed incumbent shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who now is being asked to move over to third base. Marlins president David Samson said owner Jeffrey Loria called Ramirez 30 seconds after the Reyes deal was completed to tell Ramirez he was a vital cog for the Marlins and would not be traded, which both men repeated yesterday to try to quell rumors that Ramirez wants out.