Mets trade Ike Davis to Pirates for P Zack Thornton, player to be named later

Ike Davis has hit 68 home runs since first being called up by the Mets in 2010. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The New York Mets traded first baseman Ike Davis to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Triple-A relief pitcher Zack Thornton and a player to be named later.

Davis was in his fifth season with the Mets, but had recently lost the everyday starting job to Lucas Duda. Despite his decreased role so far this season, Davis managed to bring in five RBI on five hits while hitting .208/.367/.375. Davis told ESPNNewYork's Kieran Darcy that he was thankful for his time in New York.

"I really had a blast in New York. I made my dreams come true, childhood dreams come true, playing in the big leagues here. But it's just a stepping-stone. It happens to a lot of people, getting traded. Now [I'll] go help my team in Pittsburgh."

The Mets had been looking to trade Davis throughout the offseason, but only recently found a deal to their liking when the Pirates offered Thornton, a right-hander with a 1.23 ERA and eight strikeouts in 7 1/3 IP for Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate.

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The Pirates are expected to use Davis as part of a first base platoon with current starter Gaby Sanchez, according to Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com.