Eliminate the Rays from the list of suitors for Ike Davis.
With Tampa Bay’s decision to re-sign first baseman James Loney on Friday, the Mets’ list of potential trade partners for Davis essentially has been whittled to the Brewers and Pirates.
But with there possibly being more supply — Mitch Moreland, Mike Carp, Adam Lind and Justin Smoak, among others — than demand for first basemen, the Mets’ leverage in trade talks may have dissipated.
“They are going to have to sell low,” predicted an involved party.
The Brewers are thought to like, but not love, Davis because of his high upside potential. But Milwaukee has refused to part with right-handed pitcher Tyler Thornburg, whom the Mets have requested in a trade for Davis.
Loney, who will reportedly receive $21 million over three years from the Rays, was also pursued by the Brewers.
If the Mets can’t receive enough value for the enigmatic Davis, there is always the possibility he could return. But that would also force the team to deviate from its plan of putting Lucas Duda at first base on a full-time basis.
The Mets still haven’t ruled out the idea of trading Duda if they can’t get enough for Davis.
Another Mets first baseman, Josh Satin, has begun taking fly balls during offseason workouts in an attempt to learn the outfield. Former Mets outfielder Marlon Byrd has offered to tutor Satin. For now, Satin is working with former Yankees outfielder Brennan Boesch.