Mets First Baseman Ike Davis: Amazin's Can Finish Over .500 In 2013
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The 2008 season was the last time the Mets finished their campaign with a record above .500, but Ike Davis believes that 2013 is the year to reverse the trend.
When asked by WFAN host Mike Francesa if the team would finish above .500, the power-hitting first basemen did not hesitate to reply, "Yes, I believe so."
"I think we can," Davis explained. "Obviously, if people start getting hurt, it's tough to do that. But I think if we stay healthy, and people have the seasons that they are supposed to have, I think we can get to 81 (wins) for sure."
Ike Davis
Davis, who batted.227 with 32 homers and 90 RBIs in 2012, said that he would like to improve his batting average while reaching the 100-RBI mark
"I'd like to get my average over .260," Davis said. "If I can hit anywhere from mid-.260s to .300, that'd be great."
Entering the All-Star break last year, the Mets were in the playoff hunt, posting a 46-40 record. But they quickly fell apart.
Davis said that he hopes the Mets can stay healthy in 2013.
"You never know … Last year we showed what we could do when our pitching was healthy," Davis told Francesa. "We just got some injuries in the second half and we started losing games. And before you knew it, we were out of the race."
While the Mets' young talent has impressed Davis, he conceded that the team needs to make some moves at the top of the lineup. He agreed with David Wright that free-agent Michael Bourn would add a much-needed spark.
"The offseason is not over," said Davis. "I think it would be sweet to get Bourn in. Wouldn't that be sweet?"
Davis reported that he regained a lot of the athletic ability he lost when he was sidelined for the majority of the 2011 season with a bone bruise in his left ankle.
"I'm excited," Davis said. I'm healthy. I'm ready to go."
Davis and the Mets avoided arbitration at the end of January. The Mets' first baseman has agreed to a one-year contract worth $3,125,000. He was seeking $3.7 million.
Will the Mets finish over .500 this season? If they go into Opening Day with their current roster, and they stay healthy, what will their final record be? Sound off with your comments and predictions below...
