Anthony DiComo spoke with Sandy Alderson who said, “Awkwardness should not exist in Mets camp this spring.”
Alderson told DiComo that he spoke with Davis last month at David Wright‘s wedding in California, and he briefly touching on the trade rumors that have dogged Ike all offseason.
“He was in a good mood,” Alderson said. “I don’t think any of this talk over the winter has bothered him. I think he’s anxious to get to Spring Training and show what he can do. I was certainly pleased by that.”
DiComo also says that what once seemed highly unlikely — Davis reporting to camp alongside Duda — is now a probability.
The months of engaging teams such as the Brewers, Orioles and Pirates in trade talks has led to nothing more than stalemates. The Mets want a young, talented, controllable pitcher in return for Davis, who is two years removed from a 32-homer season. No club has been willing to surrender that.
“We’re not going to move Ike just to move Ike — or any other player for that matter,” Alderson said. “This is a trade market, not a yard sale, and right now we’re perfectly happy to go into Spring Training with Davis and Duda both on the team. Frankly, we’re not that actively engaged in trade discussions involving Ike at this point. I think that underscores our willingness to go into camp with both.”
Alderson doesn’t believe his asking price for Davis has been unreasonable.
“You can only ask someone to dance so many times before you get the message,” Alderson said. “We’ve been told by a variety of clubs that what we’re asking is not unrealistic. But if they think they can get it or something else for less, that’s what they’re going to try to do. So be it. It’s not like we’re holding out for Babe Ruth.”
The last thing I wanted to see this Spring is both Duda and Davis together in camp. Of course Sandy says there shouldn’t be a quarterback controversy, but who doesn’t believe the media will harp on both Davis and Duda everyday in camp until the Mets finally announce what their plan is for first base. At the same time, I don’t want to just give Davis away either. It’s a tough situation to be sure…
