Lucas Duda homered for the Mets' only run in a loss to the Marlins on Saturday. Duda and Ike Davis played in the same game yesterday, with Duda collecting a double and a hard out and Davis homering. Duda's homer today came with Davis off. The two players are battling for a starting job at first base, with the loser perhaps getting traded.

Lucas Duda said Wednesday that he lost 5-10 pounds over the winter and feels much quicker. Duda was one of the Mets who participated in a team-supervised fitness camp in Michigan this offseason. This is a big spring training for the 28-year-old, as he'll compete with Ike Davis for the starting first baseman job. Davis should be considered the early favorite.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday that it's "likely" the loser of the Mets' first base competition will begin the season in the minors. It's still quite possibly that one of Ike Davis or Lucas Duda is traded prior to Opening Day, but so far Alderson hasn't received any offers to bite on. Manager Terry Collins has said Davis will receive 90 at-bats this spring, so they're obviously hoping he'll win the first base job. That makes Duda likely Triple-A bound if both are still in the organization come Opening Day.

Mets and 1B/OF Lucas Duda avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.6375 million contract. Duda requested $1.9 million and was offered $1.35 million from the Mets when arbitration figures were exchanged last Friday, so the two sides settled for a little over the midpoint. Ike Davis is still with the Mets despite being mentioned in trade rumors all winter, so Duda projects to begin the season as a backup first baseman/corner outfielder and left-handed bench bat.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday that Lucas Duda will likely continue to get work in the outfield. It's not ideal, as Duda is a very poor defender in the outfield, but the Mets are weighing various scenarios now that it looks like Ike Davis will stick around. Duda has an option remaining, but he could still make the Opening Day roster as a left-handed bench bat and backup first baseman. Getting some work in the outfield could help justify a roster spot, though they would likely prefer to keep his exposure there to a minimum.

Lucas Duda requested $1.9 million and was offered $1.35 million from the Mets when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday. The two sides are likely to meet someplace around the midpoint, which would be $1.625 million. The 27-year-old still stands a good chance of being traded prior to the season, but would compete with Ike Davis for the team's starting job at first base if they are unable to deal him.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expects Lucas Duda and Ike Davis to battle it out this spring for the team's starting first base job. Of course that's based on the assumption that the Mets are unable to trade either of them before the season begins. They are both similar players with legitimate power potential, so be sure to monitor this battle as whoever wins the job and is slated to play everyday will certainly have value in all mixed leagues.

Lucas Duda will not play winter ball. Duda was mulling over playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he has opted against it. The 27-year-old batted .223/.352/.415 with 15 home runs and 33 RBI over 384 plate appearances this season. He didn't do much with a late-season audition at first base, so his future with the Mets is a legitimate question, but he does have an option remaining.

Lucas Duda finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday against the Brewers. This was his first multi-hit game since September 14. With Ike Davis sidelined with an oblique injury, Duda has been given an opportunity to state his case for the first base job, but he just hasn't done much with it.

Lucas Duda launched a go-ahead three-run homer in Friday's 4-3 win over the Marlins. The sixth-inning blast was Duda's second home run since returning from the minors last month. The 27-year-old has a chance to make a statement with Ike Davis sidelined with an oblique injury, but he's no sure thing to have a place on the roster in 2014.