Game Of Cat And Mouse Continues Between The Mets and Brewers

Sources: #Brewers interested in Michael Young to play 1B. #Dodgers, #Rockies also in mix. #Nationals involved early, exploring others now.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 19, 2013

Around and around we go... This was yesterday's latest rumor in the Mets pursuit to deal Ike Davis. It didn't directly involve Davis, but did involve one of his suitors, the Milwaukee Brewers, who are now reportedly interested in Michael Young.

You had a relatively strong 2013 during which he played in 147 games split between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.  He hit .279 with 8 home runs and drove in 46.  The rubs are that he is 37 years old and was paid a whopping $16 million last season.  Slotting him in at first base would be far from ideal, as he has started only 98 games at there in his 14 seasons as a big leaguer.

With that said, if the Brewers believe the Mets' asking price on Davis is just too high, they could head in the much older, most likely more expensive direction.  My guess is this is an act.  An opinion shared by many online, but we've seen crazier things this winter.  Its tough to figure out who has the leverage in the Ike Davis negotiations, but I believe floating this idea is an attempt to get more by Brewers' GM, Doug Melvin.

Brewers Won't Budge On Ike Davis

For the first time in days there is some new information regarding a potential trade that would send Ike Davis to the Milwaukee Brewers.  The news however is both good and bad.  Tom Haudicourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with Brewer's GM Bob Melvin, who said the following:

"It's pretty quiet...We know all the names. It's a small group. Nothing changes from one day to the next. Ike Davis is the one player people talk about. Other than that, there's not much available."

You'll recall the Mets have requested Brewers pitcher Tyler Thornburg in exchange for Davis. The Brewers said no, but the Mets haven't backed down. Apparently neither have the Brewers because talks haven't progressed. Melvin even went as far as saying the team may have to "mix and match" its only players to fill the void at first base if a deal doesn't materialize.

This will be the second game of chicken Sandy Alderson has engaged in this winter.  The previous one saw the Mets cave and offer a fourth year to Curtis Granderson.  This outcome remains to be seen, but it looks clear that the Brewers are in on Davis.  We'll just have to see who blinks first.

Honest Thoughts On Ryan Braun

This afternoon on MetsBlog, Matt Cerrone cited anonymous sources who indicated that the Milwaukee Brewers would be more likely to trade Ryan Braun instead of Norichika Aoki in a deal that includes Ike Davis.  That's not to infer that anything is imminent or even likely, but the two teams have talked about Davis, and New York's largest hole looms in its outfield.

The notion of bringing Braun to Queens is almost hard to wrap our heads around, but I have to admit that on papers it makes sense.  First and foremost, Braun's previous transgressions have seen him fall out favor with the Brewers and their fans, so much so that Cerrone's sources speculate that the Brewers may be willing to pay a portion of the $113MM remaining on his contract.  Furthermore, Milwaukee is tying to find a place to plug in outfield prospect Khris Davis, who excelled in limited duty last season.  Finally, the Mets have what the Brewers have reportedly been seeking, a power hitting first baseman.

I'm not about to speculate on whether or not something could eventually come to fruition, because there would undoubtedly be other team's interested.  I'm not sure the Mets have/are willing to part with the prospect's necessary to make this deal happen.  That said, would Braun be a fit in Flushing?

I don't like Ryan Braun, the person.  I have never and will never criticize the decision of a major league player to take PEDs.  They have so much to gain that it is 100% worth the risk.  I do however take exception to players who are caught red-handed, as Braun was in 2011, who lie through their teeth and manipulate the system to get away with it.  There is a large contingent of baseball fans who will never forgive him for that.

With that said... I've also gone on record multiple times saying that I don't care much what players on my team do off the field (minus violence), as long as they're producing on it.  I want to see the Mets win.  The best players are not always the best people.  Its very hard to turn away from Braun's career stat line of .312/36/117 because he is a liar.  Further more, he is due to average only $16MM per season through the end of his deal (before the Brewers include money in the deal).  Finally, having just turned 30, Braun remains in his prime for several more seasons.

Again, I'm interested in acquiring baseball players, not altar boys.  I fully understand why some may be against it, but I don't fall into that group.  If the opportunity presents itself, Braun is exactly the type of power hitting corner outfielder that Sandy Alderson covets.  The only question remains what will it take?  Montero..Nimmo..more?  There are very few opportunities to claim a perennial all star in his prime.  If he becomes available, the Mets shouldn't even hesitate.

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