The Mets have spoken to multiple teams this off-season about Ike Davis, and have yet to find any sort of agreement. The Orioles, Brewers, and Pirates are reportedly the three teams most interested in the 26 year old slugger. The Mariners had initial interest in him as well, but went on to acquire Logan Morrison and Corey Hart to fill their void instead.
Just like Sandy Alderson has done in the past, he has held out in negotiations to ensure that he gets what he needs. Two years ago he did this with the Carlos Beltran-for-Zack Wheeler swap, and last December he managed to acquire two big-named prospects (d'Arnaud and Syndergaard) as well as others for R.A. Dickey. Here, the difference is the Mets do not have too much leverage with these Davis talks, since he didn't exactly have a great season by any means in 2013.
Earlier this winter, it was reported that the team was pushing to acquire pitcher Tyler Thornburg from Milwaukee in a one-for-one swap. The Brewers, however, declined the offer, but this was before Corey Hart landed in Seattle, so perhaps they felt like they still had a chance to bring him back.
Thornburg, a 25 year old starter, had a fair amount of success in 2013, posting a 2.03 ERA in 18 major league appearances, 7 of which were starts. With the varsity squad he filled the swing-man role for some time, and in Triple-A he struggled. With the Nashville Sounds he had an ugly 5.79 ERA in 15 starts.
Thornburg, a 25 year old starter, had a fair amount of success in 2013, posting a 2.03 ERA in 18 major league appearances, 7 of which were starts. With the varsity squad he filled the swing-man role for some time, and in Triple-A he struggled. With the Nashville Sounds he had an ugly 5.79 ERA in 15 starts.
From a Mets point of view, Thornburg would've actually been a solid return for Davis. Apparently Milwaukee was hesitant to buy into the Ike Davis hype, so they held onto Thornburg, but I can see the two teams still coming together for a trade.
The most recent trade rumor with Davis involved the Orioles, and was surprising to say the least. They reportedly attempted to acquire young prospect Eduardo Rodriguez from Baltimore in exchange for Davis. Rodriguez, 20, ranked 3rd on the Orioles' 2013 Top prospect list, according to MLB.com. He had a combined 3.41 ERA in 25 starts with Baltimore's Single-A and Double-A affiliates last year. MLB.com projects that he will be up in the Majors in 2014, and has the potential to be a finesse lefty starter once he blossoms.
That's a steep price to ask for, but I don't disagree with Alderson's tactic here. Davis can be an exceptional player when he's at his "A" game, and shouldn't be just dealt away for the sake of getting rid of him. I still feel like he will ultimately be traded off, especially after the long-off season of trade rumors that have surrounded him.
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