Mets assistant GM John Ricco suggested today that the club is in the market for a first baseman with Lucas Duda suffering a stress fracture in his lower back, David Lennon of Newsday reports on Twitter. “We’re not going to be able to replace Lucas Duda internally,” said Ricco.
Duda’s timetable remains unclear, but he’s struggled through back issues of late, leading up to the diagnosis of a seemingly significant injury. Signals from the team were that he’d be out for at least four to six weeks, with a lengthier DL stint quite possibly in the cards.
It’s also not immediately clear what the team might look to do in terms of an outside addition. Certainly, it would need to be an upgrade over the various internal possibilities. For now, Ty Kelly and Eric Campbell are available to fill in. Infielders such as Wilmer Flores, David Wright, or Neil Walker could conceivably be shifted over to first, or the club could even experiment with moving an outfielder there.
Clearly, though, the Mets are not enamored of those possibilities, and it doesn’t appear as if any creative shuffling of veterans is presently under consideration. If the club does indeed go outside the organization, it’s possible to imagine a pure fill-in or a more permanent solution.
In weighing the possibilities, it’s worth remembering that Duda remains controllable via arbitration for one more season. And there aren’t many clubs with apparent trade chips that would likely be willing to deal at this stage of the season. New York may be forced to cobble things together with a minor addition for the time being and wait for an opportunity for a more robust solution, all while monitoring Duda’s progress.
Why not Dominic Smith?
because he isn’t close to ready
That’s what I figured but I wasn’t sure.
Really the Mets should move David Wright to first untill his contract is up, I understand the injury risk may go slightly up but he is one of the worst defensive players in baseball now.
If they are looking for a 1B outside organization and are worried long term, obvious answer is Chris Carter. Now Mets won’t need to get rid of top prospects for him, but the Brewers aren’t just going to give him away.
Prospects off table in hypothetical Carter to Mets deal:
1. Ahmed Rosario
2. Dominic Smith
3. Wuilmer Becerra
Carter would be under contract two years from now, but Dominic Smith is still far from a sure thing and they can test market and trade one of duda/carter in offseason.
Chris Carter…modern day Dave Kingman. I’m sure the Mets will go after/get something better.
agreed im pretty much done with duda, hes an average defender with an inconsistent bat, I wouldnt mind giving up on him, trade/nontender, and just putting wright at 1b. Its tough to see him this bad.
Nontender…?! Wow, you may want to check his stats for the last couple of years:
2015:
.838OPS (T-30th overall in MLB, 7th for 1B in MLB)
27HR (T-25th overall in MLB, T-8th for 1B in MLB)…
2014:
.830OPS (T-25th overall in MLB, 6th for 1B in MLB)
30HR (11th overall in MLB, T-4th for 1B in MLB)
That isn’t a nontender candidate….
Duda is strangely underrated by Mets fans I have seen that are far too obsessed with “consistency” and not what numbers look like at the end of the year. Duda is a good starting 1B.
He’s a fine player just people are too obsessed with the game 5 error last World Series.
I’m sure if they thought Wright could do it, they’d put him at first. Keep in mind that Wright would probably have to put in extra work at first base before games to be an option over there. Extra work might not be feasible with his back problem. I think that’s something that would have to be worked on in spring training.
Albert Pujols is available.
So is Ryan Howard!
Trade Harvey for Joey votto
Nice
Allen Craig
Hasn’t been remotely close to good in over 3 years…
Craig would be good defensively. He hasn’t come close to his power numbers in St. Louis. One of the highest paid AAAplayers right now. He deserves another chance though.
Craig hasn’t managed to hit at AAA for 2 straight seasons, so doubt he would in the NL either.
Barely better, but the TB Rays are paying James Loney’s 9m salary for 2016.. His glove is a bit better and neither Craig, or Loney can hit.. At least Loney would give the NYM a decent defender at the Bag with the Rays paying all, but league minimum salary?
Allen Craig lmao
Call up my friend Travis tajeron
Texiera perfect fit because both teams in NY will never trade with each other.
Yanks should get a Montero and another top 10 organization prospect for Tex who even though his bat has been awful he has been best defensive first basemen in game and his power will be there by end of year.
Wow, this is actually a trade involving the Yankees I think I would make. The Mets get a first baseman and the Yankees get a young starting pitcher and another young player (most likely a pitcher). I don’t know who plays first for NYY, though.
Greg Bird will be next year. But this year, you could move Beltran there and put Judge in right. Or Beltran at DH, ARod at first, and Judge in right. You could put Headley at first and Refsnyder at 3B, or just slot Refsnyder at first. Plenty of options
No natural 1Bs, though. I do agree about moving A-Rod or Beltran to first for Hicks, Refsnyder, and later Judge.
Matt Adams. The Cardinals seem to have a full roster of first basemen and he shouldn’t cost that much.
Yeah with that HR, still holds a bit of value.
Encarnacion for wheeler? It could be the reverse Beltran trade for the mets.
I think that is what it would take, but I *highly* doubt Sandy would trade a rental for ~5yr (?) of control of Wheeler. He has some of the best pure stuff on the staff, per his minor league coaches…that’s scary good.
Pujols for matz Henderson
Lol
But then you’d have to change your name…
That’s a good pick up for Atlanta. He’s almost guaranteed to turn things around and they’ll be able to get at least one lottery type prospect at the deadline.
Damn wrong page
Got confused for a minute, but already read that so knew where you meant.
Maybe they can trade for Texeria. LOL
I can’t see Carter being moved at this time. Where is James Loney ? Or what about Kelly Johnson ? I wouldn’t mind a Kelly Johnson for Rafeal Montero deal.
Kelly Johnson traded to the Mets from the Braves two years in a row? That would be funny.
I like kelly hes a decent enough utility player but i wouldnt give up on montero just for a bench piece. I would like them use him more in a package deal for something bigger if they were to trade him
Agreed. Too much for KJ, but i like him for flexibility on the bench and I think he’s a good clubhouse guy. Montero still needs to improve/repair his trade value. I would look to the AA/AAA rosters for a piece for KJ.
Some people may think Verrett, but he’s shown to have some upside, I’d argue more than Montero.
Montero would be too much in my opinion
I would love that deal
That would actually be fantastic for both sides
I would check in on Justin Mourneau. I think he was taking this year off but a chance for a title might interest him. It’ll take him a month or so to get in shape but he’d be an interesting option. The same thing could be said about Michael Cuddyer. They both could be short term options that’ll be cheap. I’d also look at Adam LaRoche’s situation with retirement and the White Sox. I don’t know about what he’ll get paid if he decides to come back but he could be another cheap filler option.
or maybe mo vaughn
Morneau is hurt
If the Rangers plan on putting Gallo at first maybe the Mets could get Moreland.
Morse among 1B Free-Agents.
It is interesting that Gallo just got called up today. Moreland is a good player and we need bullpen help badly. Starting pitchers are not necessary. I keep reading fans of other teams proposing trades for Gallo but I think he is unavailable. If Gallo is the target I think you would have to start that conversation with a significant pitching prospect.
Daniels has made it pretty clear that Gallo isn’t available. Although I don’t think he’s untouchable.
Texiera, Mcann, chapman, for Harvey and matz.
Take out McCann and Matz and add in bird or Mateo and the mets might consider it
Will throw in Headly also
You must be delusional, Texira, Chapman, and bird or Mateo for Harvey? Harvey has not been the ace this year, he’s been a mid rotation guy, and your asking for a decent first baseman, a top of the line prospect and one of the best relievers in baseball?
I thought you were going to go with, “You must be delusional….Harvey has been a top 10-15 pitcher before this year.” The Mets aren’t in the business of collecting old players and rentals. Harvey will rebuild his value after a rough 1/4 of the season and could get the top 2-3+ prospects from most (not BOS, but most mid-pack farm systems) clubs. He may be struggling now, but 2.75 yrs control for a guy with his ceiling….that package is laughable.
Harvey’s been garbage this season.
Teixiera’s been garbage this season.
Neither team gets immediate needs filled.
Call Adam Dunn
I heard Doug Mientkiewicz is available
If he can play 1B, move Walker over
CJ Cron for two pitching prospects…
Don’t laugh at me. What about Michael Morse? I still think he has a year left in him and he’s the kind of guy who might play with a bit of a chip on his shoulder to prove people wrong.
Loney is playing AAA for the Dodgers and he is being payed by the Rays. Will play good defense and get his hits but no power. Wouldn’t cost much in a trade and a good stop gap or to finish out the year..
Padres, not Dodgers, but wouldn’t mind seeing Loney at first for the Mets, seems like a decent fit.
How about Votto ? Long time Reds fan( maybe not right now) . Over 40 years. Trade him somewhere. See what can happen. Bruce. Keep Phillips if he wants to stay. I know it’s better to trade him. I get that. But,he doesn’t want to go. Great in the community. With kids. Forget Hamilton. Dump him. Great when he gets on,but doesn’t do it enough.
Watch them get Yonder Alonso or something
A New York team… Go get Votto. You have an awesome staff. Don’t waste it. Go for it.
1. Granderson
2. Wright
3. Votto
4. Cespedes
5. Conforto
6. Walker
Etc
You probably aren’t getting Votto without giving up one of that awesome staff (not Harvey). I’m thinking it would be at least Matz + or Wheeler ++ to get talks started. But then again, Votto has a full no trade clause and he has shown no signs of wanting to move.
If they take on his contract with Cincinnati paying minimal or no cash they wouldn’t have to give up anything of value
I 100% disagree. Votto is not Ryan Howard. Yes, he has a big contract, but you would have to pay more for him on the current open market than the contract with which he is currently signed. You get one of the best players in the game for the long term on a relatively decent contract for the next few years and that costs in terms of prospects. Not to mention the fact that it is the Mets and not the Reds that are in a desperate situation right now. Otherwise, the Reds would probably just rather keep him because he is signed long enough to do a full rebuild around him and still have production from him.
The Mets have SOME money to spend but they’re really playing there cards close when it comes down to financial. Ever since Madoff ran his muck through that organization, they’ve still been in major debt since he’s gone to prison.
A lot of people don’t understand that big market Mets can’t spend like they used to just yet but I for sure think they should go for it all and make the move that will put them over the top. It’s only a matter of time until Harvey figures out his shit and then the whole team will be on a role.
I sense a conversation with Houston is in order…
I’m sure a deal for Allen Craig could be worked out… Possibly
Pedro Alvarez? Not exactly tearing the cover off the ball right now but could be a serviceable fill in with more ABs.
Trevor Plouffe
Chris Carter would look nice in a Mets uniform. Thanks for your 2 months of service, Carter!
Wil Myers
Wil Myers and Andrew Cashner is the rumor I’ve heard. Not sure on who’s moving tho
While the Mets actually loosened the purse strings in the past year (last year trade deadline to now), they are still a very frugal organization. I highly doubt they go big with a move. Loney SCREAMS “typical Mets move”. Minimal cash commitment, 1yr, and no harm if he doesn’t work out. I’d roll the dice with him, too bad he isn’t a righty.
Any validity of a Zach Wheeler for Freddie Freeman trade?