Mets still have their eyes on some potential big-time acquisitions

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 12: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Oakland Athletics hits a single in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 12, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Athletics defeated the Indians 2-0. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images), SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 13: Justin Upton #10 of the San Diego Padres celebrates hitting a home run during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park on June 13, 2015 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Andy Hayt/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) , MIAMI, FL - JULY 12: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 12, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

The Mets are thinking big. Whether they act big remains to be seen.

The team, after acquiring Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Braves on Friday, is exploring a number of larger trades, major-league sources say.

Here, according to sources, is where the Mets' various pursuits stand:

A push for Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki left the Mets under the impression that Colorado does not want to trade him.

The Mets, however, also have looked into acquiring both super-utility man Ben Zobrist and reliever Tyler Clippard from the Athletics, a deal for Reds right fielder Jay Bruce and, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, a trade for Padres left fielder Justin Upton.

No deal appears close.

The Athletics, in fact, expect to receive better offers from other clubs for Zobrist and Clippard, most likely in separate trades.

The possibility of the Mets adding Bruce might also be gone -- the team discussed with the Reds an exchange of Bruce for right-hander Zack Wheeler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the talks apparently did not gain traction.

As for Upton, the Mets balked at the Padres' request for at least one top prospect, and the Pads did not offer to pay any of the remaining portion of Upton's $14.5 million salary, according to CBS Sports.

The New York Daily News first reported that the Mets would consider trading Wheeler. Rival executives say the Mets are deep enough in prospects to make a significant move without including any of their other top young pitchers in a trade.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters earlier this week that the team can take on a "major" contract. The addition of Tulowitzki, who is owed more than $100 million and under club control through 2021, certainly would qualify.

The Rockies, however, still do not appear motivated to move Tulowitzki, who -- as a player with 10 years of service, five consecutively with the same club - will gain the right to veto any deal on Aug. 30, 2016.

The Mets, as first reported by Newsday, also made an aggressive bid for the Brewers' Gerardo Parra on Thursday night before calling up outfielder Michael Conforto from Double-A.

While the Mets offered a pitching prospect that the Brewers had asked about previously, the interest in Parra is now to the point where the Brewers believe they can do even better.

Parra, a potential free agent, has batted .344 since April 25 and ranks eighth in the NL in slugging, ahead of Anthony Rizzo, Buster Posey and Andrew McCutchen.