The New York Mets finally made a move with Ike Davis and traded their first baseman to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
Pittsburgh Tribune writer Rob Biertempfel says the Pirates dealt relief pitcher Zack Thornton and a player to be named later to New York in return for Davis.
Davis was in a position crunch at first with the Mets and sharing time with Lucas Duda and Josh Satin. A former first-round pick by the organization out of Arizona State, Davis had an excellent rookie campaign in 2010. He 33 doubles and 19 home runs that season. He hit 32 home runs in 2012, but his average was a meager .227.
Davis was sent down to the minor leagues last season amid some struggles, and he had been shaky this season despite hitting a walk-off grand slam two weeks ago. This should allow him to receive some regular playing time, and it will also open things up for Duda with the Mets.
Thoronton is a reliever who turns 26 next month. The Ventura College and Oregon transfer has a 3.04 ERA and 285 strikeouts in 252 career minor league innings. He was 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis this season.
