The Mets are actively shopping Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy. But what they are asking for in return may be a surprise.
According to multiple reports, when the Mets and Brewers discussed Ike Davis, the Mets asked the Brewers about their young, under control starting pitching. Most notably was pitcher Tyler Thornberg. This comes as a surprise, as it seemed that the Mets were going to trade for their other needs.
Shortstop was always one of the top priorities this off-season, and it seems that it still is. The Mets are willing to cough up their third-round draft pick in order to sign shortstop Stephen Drew, but need to shed payroll in order to do so.
And that’s where the pitching comes in. The Mets are showing actual interest in Drew for the first time this winter. They are going to move the “bigger” contracts like Davis and Murphy, in order to gain some more pitching but more importantly, the payroll space they need in order to make another signing.
It had always seemed that Sandy Alderson was going to trade Davis/Murphy for a shortstop or a power outfielder, and then fill pitching from within. Now, with Curtis Granderson signed, Alderson has a bit more to work with. He is able to get more creative because he was able to get one domino to fall in Granderson. Alderson can look at every possible option now knowing that he has one piece in place.
In the end, Davis seems like the more likely candidate to move. There are a number of teams that still believe Davis is talented and can unlock his potential and become a power hitter. The Mets seem completely done with Davis, and willing to have a Lucas Duda/Josh Satin platoon at first. That’s as long as all other needs are filled.
Signing Granderson has moved the Mets to a point where they have a number of different paths they can go, and that’s the best thing a GM can ask for. That creativity and flexibility gives Alderson a leg up in trade talks and free agent talks, as he has a number of options to pick from. The off-season has only just begun, but it feels as if Alderson is laying the ground work for a really important off-season. That ground work needs to turn into actual acquisitions, or else it’s all for nothing.
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Some people are saying an Ike Davis trade is in the works. Share your opinion on it at the Mets 360 Forums right now!
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Colon for 2/20? Ugh, Im not that thrilled.