The New York Mets have been rumored to be looking into trades for Ike Davis and Lucas Duda all offseason and while it appears they may keep those players after all, there are some moves out there that could be made, including trades for players like Asdrubal Cabrera, Ian Desmond or Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, while Stephen Drew remains the top free agent for the NY position of need in 2014.
The Mets have said publically that they are fine with having Rueben Tejada as their opening day shortstop, but the team has been active while trying to look for trades and while they haven't dealt Davis and could keep him, they have been linked to the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates as trade partners for the first baseman. According to Hardball Talk, the Mets are looking like they will keep Davis into next season, as he is likely heading to spring training soon and while he will be making something around $3.5 million in arbitration, the team may end up hanging onto him. Asdrubal Cabrera, Ian Desmond or Alexei Ramirez may be out of reach, but the team also could sign Drew to a deal as a free agent.
Davis had a breakout year in 2012 with 32 home runs and 90 RBIs before coming back down in 2013 with nine homers and 33 RBIs and during the season he was sent to the minors and teams in need of a 1B bat have looked at him as a target. ESPN.com reports that the Mets are expecting Davis to be in camp with the team and Duda looks like he will have the inside track to the starting job, but that could change if Davis has a nice spring training. Duda is also eligible for arbitration, but his likely will not be as high.
The Mets payroll is around $90 million after the team signed Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon and depending on what they do with Davis or Reuben Tejada will dictate if they make any other signings. Many have pointed to Stephen Drew as a solid fit at shortstop, but the team has so far balked at his years and his money. Last season Drew was solid with 13 home runs and 67 RBI over 124 games for the Red Sox and he was clutch in the playoffs and he is still on the market. According to Hardball Talk, Drew says that he is healthy, while there are some reports that teams have had some issues with his medical reports. Either way, the Mets need an upgrade at shortstop and moving Davis could be a way to do it.
