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It's no secret that New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis is available. Sandy Alderson has spoken on this in past meetings with the media, implying that both Davis and fellow first baseman Lucas Duda were trade bait. The consensus here is that one of them gets traded and the other will man first for the Mets in 2014.
After lying dormant for the last couple weeks, the Davis rumors heated up Monday. Newday's Marc Carig reported that the Brewers met with the Mets recently about Davis, and that Milwaukee is reportedly among "at least" four teams engaged in discussions with New York.
It was rumored earlier in the offseason that Milwaukee—who have had a void at first base since letting Prince Fielder go as a free agent—could have interest in the Mets slugger, so news that they've sat down with Alderson and company should come as no surprise.
After back-to-back seasons where he hit dangerously close to the Mendoza Line, Davis seems the likelier than Duda to get moved. Davis had promising rookie campaign in 2010, hitting .264/.351/.440 with 19 home runs, but hasn't quite been the same since injuring his ankle part way through his sophomore season.
While Davis' batting average is a measly .219 since returning from injury in 2012, there is definite interest from other teams around the league. Power is not often available on the open market, and when it is, it costs big-time money. With sluggers such as Robinson Cano, Carlos Beltran and Curtis Granderson off the market, the lack of power available is even more noticeable. In Davis' 2012 season, although he hit .227 with a .308 on-base percentage, he also slugged 32 home runs.
Teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates seem to be matches on paper for potential trades, but it would be silly to speculate at this point. While GMs hope that Ike can be another resurgent power-hitting Davis—a la Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis—many do not believe at this time that the Mets will be able to get any kind of sizable return.
As of pieces the Mets could be looking to get back in a trade... Well, shortstop, the starting rotation and the bullpen are all areas of need right now. Stay tuned.
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