According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Mets are “not that actively engaged in trade discussions involving Ike at this point.” How actively engaged is THAT actively engaged, I wonder? From the start of the off season, the Mets have been very open about their desire to trade Davis. Too open, perhaps. That stated eagerness may have convinced opposing general managers that they could “steal a bargain” in Davis, and they have therefore thus far balked at giving Sandy what he expects in return.
The Mets have asked for young, controllable (and apparently high quality, major league ready) pitching from those clubs with which they have most recently been connected: Milwaukee, (Tyler Thornburg) Pittsburgh, (Nick Kingham) and Baltimore. (Eduardo Rodriguez) "You can only ask someone to dance so many times before you get the message," Alderson was quoted as saying by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "We've been told by a variety of clubs that what we're asking is not unrealistic. But if they think they can get it or something else for less, that's what they're going to try to do. So be it. It's not like we're holding out for Babe Ruth."
But holding out is what Alderson is doing. Most Met fans applauded Sandy when he said "Let me emphasize one thing: We're not in the business of giving players away. We don't expect to get in that business." More recently, in a telephone interview, Sandy expanded on that theme. "We're not going to move Ike just to move Ike -- or any other player, for that matter. This is a trade market, not a yard sale. And right now, we're perfectly happy to go into Spring Training with Davis and Duda both on the team.”
So, does Alderson want to trade Davis, or does he not? The teams he has been discussing Davis with do have some alternatives to his original targets. But if it is only young, controllable, high quality pitching that he will accept in return, the options are few and far between.
Milwaukee has RHP Will Smith, who the Brewers received in exchange for Norichika Aoki, but he is already 24 and profiles better as a reliever. If the Brewers wouldn’t trade Aoki for Davis, why would they trade the player they got for Aoki? Would the Brewers trade 19 year old outfield prospect Tyrone Taylor or 22 year old Victor Roache, who goes by the name of Heavy28Hitter on Twitter.
The Pirates have 20 year old righty Tyler Glasnow, but he about 2 years from the big club, and is higher on the Bucs Top 20 prospects list than Kingham. You wouldn’t expect the Pirates to part with Gregory Polanco, their #1 position prospect, but switch hitting 21 year old shortstop prospect, 1 spot below Polanco on the Top 20, or switch hitting 21 year old outfield prospect Josh Bell, might possibly be expendable.
Baltimore . . Baltimore has a couple of young, but very inexperienced, pitchers, (2013 first round pick Hunter Harvey, and 9th round pick Mitch Horicek) and 24 year old RHP Mike Wright and 26 year old RHP Oliver Drake, both of whom are experienced but not dominating. They do have a Catching prospect, 23 year old Michael Ohlman, who has seen a surge in the past 2 years and could provide depth at that position.
Given the lack of quality pitching possibilities beyond those Alderson has seemingly already struck out on, coupled with Alderson’s reluctance to accept any good position prospects in a package in return for Davis, leads one to question how wholehearted Sandy has been in his efforts to move Ike. It seems that his willingness to hold out for only those high end pitchers he has asked for, and his apparent withdrawal from active engagement in trade talks, underscores his willingness to go into camp with both Davis and Duda competing for the first base job.
In summary, if Sandy truly wants to move Davis, he does have decent options and he should pull the trigger. If, on the other hand, he is perfectly happy to retain Ike and see whether he can demonstrate that the first base job should be his in spring training, he should close the door to a trade. Continuing to keep Ike dangling out there is unfair to him, could be damaging to his confidence, and could lessen the probability that he will excel anywhere.
4 comments:
Let Sandy be the GM, Stop this obsession with the IKE trade. When he makes the move we can all agree or disagree. No need for Sandy to act on my timeline or the blogs'.
I agree with Ed. Are we really concerned that Ike's confidence can't take handling some trade rumors? Hopefully it's a kick in the posterior to get his act together and earn the 3.5 million he's going to get. Let Sandy be Sandy.
Ed and Jeff -
Your position is reasonable and well taken. I am generally a strong Alderson supporter, and normally I would also say just let Sandy do his job. I do have faith in his judgement, and believe he has made sound player decisions for the most part.
Moreover, I believe Ike has taken all this trade talk in stride this winter. I am pleased that he has still shown enthusiasm for staying a Met and has expressed a willingness to compete with Lucas for the starting 1B job, going so far as to say it will not be awkward for him in camp this spring.
Frankly, what I am really saying with this article, is that I would love for Sandy to take Ike off the market and show strong support for Ike, rather than the ambivalence he has been expressing. I continue to believe that Davis can live up to his potential and be the player he has seemed to be only in portions of seasons thus far. He just needs the chance, and the backing of the front office and the fans.
Herb, great article I agree with you just let Sandy do his job. So far when ever his traded for prospects he and his staff get an A+. There waiting out these teams eventually if they trade Davis im pretty sure will get a very good prospect.
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