NOT A LOT TO IKE: If the Mets opted to send Ike Davis to Triple-A, their options to replace the struggling first baseman are limited. They could turn to Daniel Murphy, who last played first in 2011 (inset right), Justin Turner (inset) or Lucas Duda (inset bottom). (
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If the Mets had a slam dunk replacement at first base, Ike Davis might already be the mayor of Sin City.
But as the Mets prepare to give the beleaguered Davis another chance — perhaps through this weekend — before deciding if a demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas is applicable, they will consider their options at the position.
Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda and Justin Turner would be the in-house candidates for first base. Less likely is the possibility the club would promote Josh Satin from Las Vegas to swap places with Davis.
“You can put Murphy over there at first and let [Jordany] Valdespin have a chance at second,” manager Terry Collins said. “But I don’t have any idea yet. You can put Duda over there, but if that’s the case who plays left field? You can put Turner at first and see how he does, but until [Davis’ situation] is decided, I really haven’t gotten anything etched in stone yet.”
Murphy saw extended action at first base in 2011 after Davis sustained a left-ankle bone bruise in May, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Murphy also played most of the 2009 season at first base after the organization abandoned trying to convert him into an outfielder.
Though moving Duda to first base would create another hole in an already weak outfield, there are some in the organization intrigued by the possibility of a switch.
Such a move would let the Mets view Duda at his natural position for an extended period, allowing the organization to determine if there is a comfortability factor that can lead to him surge offensively. Duda is batting only .185 in May after a hot start and remains an eyesore in the outfield, despite his switch this season from right to left field.
Team officials recently toyed with the possibility of promoting Andrew Brown from Las Vegas to play first base, but Brown strained an oblique last weekend, putting that idea on ice.
Turner has received action at first base this season against lefties, but there are still questions whether he can succeed as an everyday player. He would perhaps stand to benefit if Murphy moved to first, allowing Collins to employ a platoon with Valdespin and Turner at second base.
Satin entered yesterday’s play batting .300 with six homers and 24 RBIs for Las Vegas and could receive some consideration for Davis’ spot.
“Satin fits into their mold of taking pitches and all that kind of stuff,” said a National League talent evaluator. “He can hit big league pitching, but he’s got to play. He’s not a guy coming off the bench.”
Davis is stuck in a 1-for-38 (.026) tailspin and has struggled defensively recently. His latest miscue came Wednesday, when he believed Brandon Phillips’ ninth-inning chopper was foul and let the ball go. The ball was ruled fair, giving Phillips a double as the Reds scored the go-ahead run in what became a series sweep of the Mets.
“I know I’m going to play better, especially hitting — I can’t do any worse,” said Davis, who is batting .147 with four homers and nine RBIs. “Everything that can wrong right now for me is going wrong.”