Mike Jacobs Demoted, Tobi Stoner Promoted, Ike Davis on Horizon?

In the wake of last night's 20-inning marathon against the Cardinals, the Mets are shaking things up big time. Mike Jacobs has been designated for assignment (and may be claimed by other teams) and Tobi Stoner, a starter in Triple-A, has been promoted to the big league club. The big news resulting from this transaction?

Mike Jacobs second stint with the New York Mets has ended less pleasantly. And it also potentially signaled the promotion of prospect Ike Davis when the team returns to New York. -- Adam Rubin, ESPN New York

Well, surprise! I for one didn't think that designating Jacobs for assignment necessarily meant that Davis was going to be promoted... but Adam Rubin seems to have a strong feeling that it does. Personally, I would have promoted Chris Carter or let Tatis play every day because I'm still not sure Davis is the answer.

Mets Sign Jacobs to Minor League Deal ... Why?

Not understanding this at all:

The New York Mets are closing in on a one-year, minor league contract with free-agent first baseman Mike Jacobs, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

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Jacobs will receive an invitation to big league camp on a non-guaranteed contract, the source said, and compete for at-bats at first base or off the bench. Daniel Murphy, New York's incumbent first baseman, hit .266 with 12 homers in 508 at-bats last season.

For what purpose? The Mets have made it clear that they are going with Murphy at first. Why would they sign another player who a) only plays first base and b) is left-handed and gets KILLED by lefties?

I always liked Mike Jacobs, and I thought he was going to be pretty good last season[1]. Obviously, he stunk instead. Many of the same reasons for optimism remain, but it may be that he was simply over-exposed last year.

But why would Jacobs choose to come to the Mets rather than a team he has a legitimate chance of starting, or at least platooning, on?

In another conundrum, where are the Mets getting the money for this? They apparently didn't have the money to even entertain the idea of negotiating with Yorvit Torrealba because of financial constraints[2].

I really hope that things turn out well for Jacobs, but I don't see him fitting on the Mets in any way, shape, or form.

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[1] He also resembles a young Val Kilmer - hence his nickname of "Iceman."

[2] On a side note, do you think the hypothetical child of Joe Torre and Jessica Alba would be attractive or ugly? Whose genetics would win? And is that how Torrealba got his name (similar to Garciaparra)?