What we’re hearing about the Mets’ interest in J.D. Davis

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…