According to a baseball source, the Mets will consider trading Ike Davis this offseason, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reported this morning.
Terry Collins said yesterday that Lucas Duda will play first base against left-handed pitching during the remainder of the season.
'The Mets are disappointed with Davis' unwillingness to make changes based on coaching advice,' Rubin explained, according to his source. 'Although he is personable and by no means a troublemaker, they also worry ' fairly or unfairly ' he is out too late after games, and that could influence other young players.'
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com
In late August I wrote, 'The way I see it, looking at the current 25-man roster, only RA Dickey, Matt Harvey, David Wright and Ruben Tejada should be guaranteed spots on next year's team.' I got criticized for leaving Davis and Jon Niese off this very short list, but I don't regret it. In the case of Niese, it's simply a matter of trading from strength (young pitching) to build up a weakness (young outfield bats). In Ike's case, for me, I say he's available, if only because I'm not 100 percent sold on his potential. I was, but last year's injury, his slow start and his struggles against left-handed pitching (in this division) now have me second guessing myself.
Trading Ike would not be my preferred move. But, he can be a bit aloof, and I understand the argument from people who see him as a platoon player, so I get the concerns. Also, it's quite clear that left-handed pitchers are pitching him a certain way now (compared to when he first came up), and he obviously isn't doing a good job at adjusting, which (according to Rubin's sources) is not for a lack of instruction from the coaching staff. Nevertheless, I still think it would be a mistake to move him, given how little money he will earn next year, given his struggles (and lower value), and given his ceiling.
I'm not interested in trading Ike for more prospects, nor do I think he's capable of being moved for that type deal anyway. That said, is there a deal available that could send Ike and Niese to a team needing help at first base and starting pitcher that could bring back a comparable, big-league outfielder and reliever or catcher? Arizona, where Ike is from? Colorado? Cleveland? The Twins? I don't know, but there is no harm in exploring these sort of deals at a time when we're all demanding new and better players, knowing full well you can't get something for nothing'
