Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Bucs Still Discussing New York Mets First Baseman Ike Davis
By Matt Shetler
Aug 8, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis (29) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The rumor mill has quieted down considerably for the holidays, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates still need a first baseman.
With that in mind, New York Mets’ first baseman Ike Davis may still be at the top of their wish list.
We reported back at the Winter Meetings that the Pirates and Mets had been discussing a swap for the 26-year-old, but the talks never really gained any steam. However, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are continuing to talk to the Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers about Davis.
Mets have unsuccessfully tried to get pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez from Orioles for Ike Davis. Still talking to Brewers, Orioles, Pirates.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 27, 2013
Davis is coming off a down year in New York and although he does have some power, the Mets asking price seems to be very high.
They have been unsuccessful in its efforts to pry top pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez away from Baltimore, and the Brewers reportedly turned down a trade at the Winter Meetings that would have involved pitcher Tyler Thornburg.
No names have been reported involving the talks with the Bucs, but it appears the Mets want a good young arm in exchange for Davis.
I haven’t been thrilled about the potential idea of the Pirates adding Davis to the lineup, but given the ultra-thin first base market it may not be the worst thing in the world if the price is cheap.
Davis is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $3.5 million in 2014 and can be controlled through the 2016 season. He had a productive 2012 campaign in which he posted a line of .227/.308/.462 while clubbing 32 homers and driving in 90 runs.
However those numbers dropped to .205/.326/.334 last season as Davis hit only nine homers and drove in 33 runs.
One positive is that he hits right-handed pitching much better than left-handed pitching, which would fit nicely in a platoon with Gaby Sanchez. The short right-field porch at PNC Park also could play nicely with Davis’ power.
On the other hand, potentially adding Davis to the Pirates lineup would add another low-average and high-strikeout guy to the lineup, something I doubt the Bucs can afford to do.