The New York Mets’ interest in adding a right-handed batter who could play some third base dates to at least the time of Ronny Mauricio’s torn ACL in December. Since the Mets have yet to bring someone in with that profile, it makes some sense that they would explore the possibility of a reunion with J.D. Davis.

League sources confirmed that the Mets have talked with Davis, whose presence would fit from a roster construction standpoint but also raise questions about New York’s young internal options at third base.

League sources with knowledge of the club’s thinking said that while the Mets continue to look into all options, they don’t view any addition as essential.

As of Tuesday night, talks between the Mets and Davis hadn’t entered a serious stage, league sources said. It’s unclear when Davis will decide on a new team, but the process isn’t expected to take long. At least a handful of teams have expressed interest in Davis after the San Francisco Giants released him on Monday, resulting in Davis receiving $1.1 million in termination pay rather than a $6.9 million salary.

There’s a scenario in which J.D. Davis would fit on the Mets roster without bumping Mark Vientos or Brett Baty. (Kevin Abele / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Whether or not the Mets add Davis, it’s interesting that they would kick the tires on someone who can play third base — never mind his history with the club. In Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, both 24, the Mets have two young players that club officials have spent a lot of time talking about how much they want to see more of. Throughout the offseason, the Mets operated with a conscious approach of not wanting to block promising players from consistent playing time.

In one ideal scenario for the Mets, Baty, a left-handed batter, would project to see most of the time at third base with Vientos, a right-handed batter, also in line to see action against left-handed pitchers. When not at third base, Vientos would serve as the club’s designated hitter. (The Mets scratched Baty from the lineup on Wednesday in what the club called a precautionary move because of “minor back tightness,” and called him day to day.)

What would happen if they added someone like Davis?

League sources suggested that Davis (or someone like him), Baty and Vientos could all appear on the same roster, meaning that an addition wouldn’t necessarily signal a stint in Triple A to start the year for either young player.

Instead, an addition would be more about coverage if Baty didn’t work out at third base. The Mets have a bench spot up for grabs for the Opening Day roster. Outfielder DJ Stewart, a left-handed batter, projects as a favorite for the spot, but others remain in the mix and Stewart holds a minor-league option.

However, it would be interesting to see how playing time would be divided between the players — Baty, Vientos and a newcomer — in such a scenario. If the Mets want to play Vientos at third against lefties, another right-handed bat that can DH those days would make sense.

The Mets have also wanted to instill confidence in Baty and Vientos; the former struggled all of 2023 after he was given the job at third base while the latter experienced mixed results during sporadic playing time. If the Mets add another capable veteran at third base — Joey Wendle, a left-handed batter known more for his speed and defense, profiles as the backup infielder — they’d be tasked with balancing the right messaging to their young players.

Conversely, competition matters and the Mets plan to be a competitive team while wanting to develop the next wave. They could think they may see better versions of Baty and Vientos if they raise the floor.

Both Baty and Vientos need to improve defensively. Club officials say they believe both have the physical ability to play third base. Consistency remains a question.

Davis, who can also play first base, improved defensively last year, according to some metrics, but rated below average in previous seasons.

Davis hit 18 home runs with a .738 OPS and 103 OPS+ last year in 546 plate appearances. The Mets traded him to the Giants in 2022, but then-GM Billy Eppler is no longer with New York. Davis’ career .775 OPS and 113 OPS+ points to above-average production without a drastic platoon split.

J.D. Martinez continues to linger as the best hitter on the free-agent market. But league sources have labeled the situation as status quo as it pertains to the Mets, meaning nothing serious seemed to be brewing as of Tuesday evening. The expectation is Davis would come at a cheaper cost than the $6.9 million that the Giants were on the hook for whereas Martinez could still command a solid deal after posting a 134 OPS+ with 33 home runs last year.

Price matters to the Mets, who are facing a 110 percent tax. Also, the idea of adding someone who can play defense rather than operate as a strict DH may appeal to the club. Though Martinez would be a difference-maker in a lineup, he’d also likely expect regular playing time, which would block Vientos, who has impressed some team evaluators with his power. Adding someone like Davis may not block younger players the same way even though it’d make things a bit more interesting.

The Mets’ front office always monitors the market in an attempt to be proactive. Whether it would be Davis or someone else, an addition, even this late, shouldn’t be ruled out though the club doesn’t appear to be viewing it as mandatory.

(Top photo of J.D. Davis: Sergio Estrada / USA Today)