The Tampa Bay Rays are moving closer to acquiring New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says it’s not a done deal yet but is gaining momentum.

It has been previously reported by Mike Puma and Marc Carig that the Rays were interested in Duda in addition to Addison Reed.

The Yankees and Mariners have also shown interest in Duda who will be a free agent after the season.

Sherman also notes that the have prioritized trading Duda and Asdrubal Cabrera to make room for top prospect Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith.

Previous Update – July 27, 3:30 PM

The New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners continue to show interest in Lucas Duda from the New York Mets according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.

Both teams have been previously linked to the Mets slugging first baseman that will be a free agent for the first time following the season.

Earlier this week, it was reported by Mike Puma of the New York post that the Tampa Bay Rays have interest in Duda as well as closer Addison Reed.

Duda, 31, is hitting .246/.347/.532 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs and 37 RBI this year for the Mets.

Original Report – July 22

The Yankees may have just pulled off a blockbuster deal that brought Todd Frazier to the Big Apple, but that doesn’t mean they are done dealing.

In a report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Yankees are still open to acquiring a first baseman and are keeping tabs on Oakland’s Yonder Alonso and Lucas Duda.

Duda, 31, is set to hit free agency for the first time this winter and with top prospect Dominic Smith knocking at the door, the Mets could look to trade the eight-year veteran.

In 69 games this season, Duda is hitting .246/.352/.552 with 17 home runs and 36 RBI. The first baseman also has a 133 wRC+, .374 wOBA and .306 ISO on the campaign.

The Yankees have used a plethora of options at first this year, nine to be exact, which tied a club record for first basemen in a single season.

While the Yankees are scouting Alonso and Duda, the team is content with platooning Chase Headley and Garrett Cooper at first the rest of the season if a deal doesn’t come to fruition.

Before acquiring Frazier, Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson from the White Sox, the Yanks had scouts at a recent Mets game to check out Duda and Addison Reed, so on the surface, the team seems to have interest.

The last time the Mets and Yankees made a deal was back in 2004 when the Amazin’s acquired Felix Heredia in exchange for Mike Stanton.

Regardless, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson says he has no qualms with doing business with its cross-town rival. With that short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, it’s no wonder the team has a certain level of interest, Duda would feast there.

Expect the two teams to be linked the next week plus until the deadline on July 31.