Mets willing to trade Lucas Duda to crosstown rival Yankees

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, if the Yankees were to call the other team in New York about the availability of first baseman Lucas Duda, a deal could be struck.

In the eighth inning of Saturday night’s game against the Astros, Yankees first baseman Chris Carter dropped a ball that literally that hit him in his glove. The costly error was a catalyst that soon saw the Bombers lose the game 7-6.

The more heartbreakers the Yanks lose, the less likely they are to make any moves before the July 31 trade deadline. That’s why should they decide to go all in, they’d be wise to do so sooner rather than later.

Now I’m not entirely sold that acquiring 31-year-old Lucas Duda is going all in — especially considering his injury prone history and less than stellar defensive play, but at this point, the Yankees refuse to trade any worthwhile prospects. So their options to acquire a potential game-changing offensive piece is limited.

Here’s what Heyman said about the Mets and Yankees coming together on a swap for Duda, who is currently hitting .257 with 14 home runs and 30 RBI in 187 at-bats — while getting on base 35 percent of the time.

"He’s showing some big power in limited at-bats in his walk year. The Yankees could be a possibility, and a Mets person suggested they’d be willing to talk to the Yanks, though conceded it’s a little more complicated trading with the team eight miles up the Grand Central and Major Deegan.More from Yankees NewsYankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendarYankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielderMichael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening DayNo, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step"

Because of a nagging back injury and recent viral infection, Duda has been limited to 57 games this season.

With his 56:30 K:BB ratio and 17 doubles, Duda offers the Yankees something they have been lacking since trading away Carlos Beltran and Brain McCann in the offseason — a legitimate power threat from the left side of the plate.

Stacked from the right side, it would be wonderful for manager Joe Girardi to slide in a left-handed home run stick in behind his usual third place hitter, Aaron Judge.

Making Duda even more appealing is the fact that he’s in the final year of his contract. So if he were to underperform in the Bronx, Brian Cashman and company could simply say C’Este la Vie following the conclusion of this season.

However, if Duda gave us a glimpse of the type of power he displayed in 2014  & ’15 (57 home runs and 165 RBI total), he’d be a decent insurance policy for Greg Bird, if and when he returns in 2018.

Short porch, looping swing = possible excitement.

Look, Duda isn’t a perfect solution for the Yankees, but over the past couple of weeks we’ve heard the names, Eric Hosmer, Yonder Alonso, Justin Bour and Todd Frazier as possibilities to replace the human statue Carter — and each time Yankee fans are reluctant. I know because they’ve told me on Twitter.

So I ask, what do you want? Tyler Austin is hurt. So is Matt Holliday. Rob Refsynder, Austin Romine and Tyler Wade are not first basemen.

Next: Yankees inquire about a pair of Marlins

At this rate, if the club waits much longer to make a change at first base, it may not matter for the 2017 season. Then again, the same can be said about the bullpen.