Mets Trades: 3 upgrades a J.D. Davis trade could bring this summer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 10, 2021 in New York City. The Marlins defeated the Mets 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets looks on against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 10, 2021 in New York City. The Marlins defeated the Mets 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Apr 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets left fielder J.D. Davis (28) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets left fielder J.D. Davis (28) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Mets are likely buyers at this summer’s trade deadline. Like Bradley James Nowell, I ain’t got no crystal ball. It’s just common sense to expect the Mets to be right there in the thick of things when sellers sell and buyers buy.

Arguably the best trade candidate on the MLB roster is third baseman J.D. Davis. Long talked about as a potential trade chip, this could be the summer when the club finally does pull the trigger. The Mets have two viable options at the hot corner in lieu of Davis: Luis Guillorme and Jonathan Villar. Subtract Davis from the club and the Mets aren’t in dire straits at the position.

Fast-forwarding to the trade deadline, we should expect Davis’ name to pop up in trade talks. The way I see it, there are three obvious upgrades the team could make by using Davis as a trade chip.

Trading J.D. Davis for a major third baseman is a win-now move for the Mets

Turning Davis, a controllable and affordable piece, into a superstar third baseman is a win-now move for the Mets. It’s what a lot of us thought was going to happen over the winter. Trade rumors abound revolving around guys like Kris Bryant never materialized.

Bryant, still with the Chicago Cubs and likely headed to free agency this winter, remains a viable option for the Mets. Davis alone wouldn’t be able to draw the former MVP out of Chicago. In a package deal, Davis could be a major leaguer the Cubs look at as a piece to help them get back on track.

Many of baseball’s biggest trade deadline deals include an All-Star level player getting swapped for prospects. This kind of deal is different. I also don’t think it would cost much more than Davis to pry Bryant away. Why balk at a deal like this if you’re Chicago? Years of Davis over two useless months of Bryant in a season likely headed nowhere for the Cubs might be enough or at least almost the entire package needed.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 13: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets hits a fly ball towards right field in the first inning of the Spring Training game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 13, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 13: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets hits a fly ball towards right field in the first inning of the Spring Training game against the Washington Nationals at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 13, 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Mets could solidify the bullpen in a trade involving J.D. Davis

Depending on how much the Mets trust Guillorme and Villar at third base, they could always flip Davis for an upgrade somewhere else. The one spot on the field we already know the Mets will be looking to add is in the bullpen. There’s no trusting this team’s relief corps. I don’t care how long things look smooth. There’s always an explosion waiting to happen.

In a way, I don’t like the idea of trading an everyday position player for a reliever. It feels like an immediate downgrade.

But that’s how the game works, isn’t it? You need to trade away something of value in order to get something good back in return.

It’s far too soon to even speculate as to which teams or even which relievers to start looking at. Relief pitchers are the most impossible to predict of any in the game. I would like to see the Mets get much more than a two-month rental. A guy with at least the potential to stick around for the 2022 season seems like a much better deal.

Relievers are available by the handful at the trade deadline. They change teams from year to year and are baseball’s best journeymen. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Mets adding one to the bullpen this summer even at the cost of Davis. It really all depends on whether or not we trust in the duo behind him right now and how fantastic of an arm they can get back.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets makes a throw to first against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets makes a throw to first against the Houston Astros in a spring training game at Clover Park on March 16, 2021 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Mets farm system could get a solid piece in exchange for J.D. Davis

Trading Davis this summer for prospects doesn’t make too much sense. This isn’t necessarily the point of the trade deadline. In the winter months, sure. It’s a logical step for any team. When you’re trying to make a run to the playoffs, it’s a little more unexpected.

We’ve seen the Mets front office get creative with some trades including the one made involving Steven Matz. After acquiring three prospects for him, they got involved in a three-team deal. One of those minor league arms was dealt to the Kansas City Royals. In return, the Mets got Khalil Lee—now one of their best outfield prospects.

What if the team pulls off something like this again?

I wouldn’t put it past the Mets to trade Davis then use some or all of the prospects they landed to find help elsewhere. While Davis wouldn’t net a superstar prospect, he’s certainly valuable enough to bring back something of value. If he’s playing well, a contender may even look at him as an upgrade over what they currently have.

Next. Greatest Mets trade deadline deals of all-time

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There are a variety of different options the Mets have with Davis as far as a trade goes. What does seem certain is that he’s not in the long-term plans. A trade this summer might not happen. However, if they do want to improve the ball club and not deplete the farm, moving on from him might be the direction to go.

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