Report: Brewers, Mets Discuss Trade For Ike Davis

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

According to Andy Martino of the NY Daily News, the Milwaukee Brewers have discussed trading for New York Mets 1B Ike Davis. However, talks didn’t advance and a deal seems unlikely.

The Mets seem keen on keeping Lucas Duda while unloading Davis and the Brewers are one of four or five teams that are fits for Davis, according to a major league executive.

First base is a position that the Brewers need to fill. Currently, they have slated Juan Francisco, who showed flashes of greatness but also struggled in 2013. If they re-sign Corey Hart though, he will immediately fill the void. Milwaukee also has a first base prospect in Hunter Morris, but he may not be ready to make the leap.

But trading for Davis would be puzzling. Davis was so bad last season that the Mets demoted him to the minors before calling him up again after realizing he had no trouble with Triple-A pitching. His drop off in power numbers is most surprising. In 2012, he crushed 32 home runs and slugged .462. This year? He hit nine home runs and only slugged .334.

Furthermore, Davis, who is arbitration eligible in 2014, would cost the Brewers more than Francisco would. The Mets paid Davis $3.125 million in 2013 while Francisco made less than half a million. And after all, they’re basically the same player. Both lefties, they display a magnitude of power but fail to hit for average. In addition, they both struck out 100+ times last season.

It’s a good thing talks seem to have fallen through because bringing Davis to Milwaukee would be a pointless move.