Is Pittsburgh The More Likely Destination For Ike Davis?

This thing seems like its going to go on forever.  The Mets have had Ike Davis dangling over the trade market for months now, and he still resides firmly in Queens.  The market for the slugger hasn't been without interest, but Sandy Alderson has requested a premier pitching arm in return and to date no one has budged.  Some question whether anyone will, but there is still plenty of time for things to develop.

Leading up to and throughout the week of the Winter Meetings, Ike Davis rumors landed almost exclusively on the doorstep of the Milwaukee Brewers.  Sandy Alderson met with Doug Melvin on multiple occasions in Orlando, but his request for Tyler Thornburg left talks stranded.  In the time since, there hasn't been much movement on either side, with the exception of Melvin inferring that the Brewers may look elsewhere.

There is however increasing chatter that the Pittsburgh Pirate may become more of a player for Davis.  After losing their first baseman, Justin Morneau, to free agency, the Pirate have a very large hole to fill.  There seems to be increasing pressure on the organization to make an impact move in an effort to maintain momentum from last year.  You'll recall that 2013 was the first winning season for the Pirates since 1992.  That's not a fact that's lost on their fans and not a realm of thinking they would like to reenter.

Sandy Alderson hasn't been without his own particularly high set of demands for Pittsburgh either, having requested Nick Kingham, who Baseball America ranks as their fifth best prospect.  Although that may not be a move that the Pirates have any desire to make, their farm system is deep.  They may also be more inclined to pay more for Davis due to public pressure. The Pirates have no desire to go backwards in 2014.

Will Ike Davis be traded?  I still think the correct question is when will he be traded. Where will he go?  I think that answer is getting cloudier by the day.