The simplest move the Mets can make to replace Lucas Duda would be to turn to James Loney.
He is at Triple-A with the Padres, hitting .333. He is allowed to leave if he has a major league job elsewhere. As of Tuesday morning, the Mets had not reached out for him, but his representatives were planning to talk to the Mets, who do have some interest.
The Mets would have to pay only the pro-rated major league minimum because the Rays, after releasing him just before the season, are paying the rest of the $8 million due him this season on the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract. He is not great, but he is a lefty-swinging contact hitter who has played nearly 1,300 major league games at first and would provide greater comfort than would Eric Campbell or Wilmer Flores in the four to six weeks the Mets hope Duda is out with a stress fracture in his back.
Nick Swisher, at Triple-A with the Yankees, has the same out clause for a major league job, plus he is well liked by Mets hitting coach Kevin Long. However, Swisher is batting just .252 with a .659 OPS at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Mets officials appear disinterested in the switch-hitter.
Just to check, I inquired about the recently retired Michael Cuddyer and Adam LaRoche plus the inactive Justin Morneau, and was told none was a possibility.
Trades are infrequent prior to the draft in mid-June, but if the Mets decided to go that route, I think they should try to cover two areas — get someone who plays first base now while also serving as a lefty-hitting caddie/insurance policy for David Wright. The Mets have wanted the lefty bat to be Wright’s complement because they would give Wright more regular off-days against tough righties.
Here are three players I would inquire about helping at first base now and providing depth/insurance later:
Luis Valbuena, Astros: My preference would be switch-hitter Marwin Gonzalez, but Houston might find him too versatile and valuable. Gonzalez and rookie Colin Moran have been playing third regularly in lieu of the struggling Valbuena (.197 average, just two homers). All are just placeholders for Alex Bregman, who is tearing up Double-A after being the second overall pick last June and recently was transitioned from short to third because he is blocked at short in the majors by Carlos Correa.
Valbuena ($6.125 million) is nearly a salary match for Alejandro De Aza ($5.75 million), who has a limited role on the Mets, but could be a lefty complement to center fielder Carlos Gomez in Houston. Valbuena and De Aza are both free agents after this season.
Yangervis Solarte, Padres: Solarte switch-hits, has a good eye, a little pop and can play first, second and third. He would be a valuable enough role player far from free agency that the Mets should be open-minded about offering a combination from among Wilmer Flores, Gavin Cecchini, Matt Reynolds, Brandon Nimmo and Rafael Montero to see if there is a match.
Kelly Johnson, Braves: The Mets had him, liked him and probably should have re-signed him. He is not hitting well this year (.221 batting average, .601 OPS), but the offensive situation has been toxic for Atlanta. The Mets know he is a pro who can handle New York.