The Orioles are searching for another bat, and they are mulling over the possibility of trading for Ike Davis.
Ike Davis does have one team still interested in him, as the Orioles are potentially suitors for the Mets first baseman, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Baltimore is hoping to add another bat before April, with the team also being linked to free agents Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales in recent days. Trading for Davis would allow the Orioles to keep one of their top draft picks (although they already surrendered their first-rounder after signing Ubaldo Jimenez), which is not the case for Cruz or Morales, who have draft pick compensation attached to them.
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Davis had a tough 2013 campaign, batting just .205/.326/.334 with nine home runs and 33 RBI, although he did improve after being recalled from Triple-A in early July. Over his final two months of the season, Davis hit .267/.429/.443 before being sidelined for all of September with a right oblique strain. Once a top prospect in the Mets organization, Davis has seen his career stall over the past two seasons after an encouraging big league cameo in 2011.
The 26-year-old's struggles led to trade speculation throughout the offseason, though the Mets have yet to move him. Davis could prove to be a decent buy-low option for a team willing to take a chance, and according to Sherman, the Orioles are still mulling over just such an idea. With Chris Davis and Matt Wieters under contract through 2015, Baltimore's best chance to contend might be right now, which has led the team to search for further upgrades after signing Jimenez on Monday.
Davis will make $3.5 million in 2014, his first year of arbitration, and will not be eligible for free agency until 2017. His contract situation makes Davis an affordable option for the next few years and also more attractive to potential suitors.
According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Pirates are still monitoring Davis, who could form a solid platoon with the team's current first baseman, Gaby Sanchez. However, Pittsburgh does have some internal options at first base, which, for now, has allowed them to remain patient as players like Cruz and Morales look for potential landing spots.
The Orioles too are staying patient, and like the Pirates, are waiting for the best, most affordable option to present itself.