Teams are asking the Rangers about Chris Davis and, by the sounds of it, he wouldn't mind if they listened to offers. Davis told Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he wouldn't oppose a trade if the Rangers were interested in making one.
“I just want to be in the big leagues, whether it’s here or somewhere else,” Davis said. “In all fairness, I’ve done everything the Rangers have asked me to do. I’ve been a good sport about it. I’ve had a smile on my face and a good attitude about it. When it comes down to it, the fair thing to do is to give me a shot either here or somewhere else.”
Mitch Moreland is the favorite to become the Rangers' regular first baseman, so Davis, who has an option remaining, could find himself headed back to the minors despite his strong spring. But the 24-year-old Texan has some appeal to other clubs.
So which teams could use a powerful, affordable player who can play first and third and who has yet to hit left-handed pitching or hold down a job in the majors for a full season? Here's a speculative look at some teams that may have called GM Jon Daniels about the former top prospect:
- D'Backs – Though the D'Backs have been discussing another one of Texas' infielders, Davis doesn't appear to be a likely fit for Arizona. The D'Backs already have a couple veteran third basemen and three left-handed first basemen (Brandon Allen, Juan Miranda and Russell Branyan) in the mix.
- Marlins – Another one of the teams that inquired about Michael Young, the Marlins could acquire Davis to complement right-handed corner players Matt Dominguez, Gaby Sanchez and Wes Helms.
- Indians – Jason Donald, Matt LaPorta and Jayson Nix, three right-handed hitters, figure to get most of the playing time at the corners for now. Two left-handed hitters, Nick Johnson and top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall, threaten to join the big league club before long, but until then the Indians could mix Davis' left-handed bat in and see what happens.
- Rays – Though Dan Johnson and Ben Zobrist are capable of playing first, the Rays might like the idea of buying low on Davis.
- Blue Jays – The Blue Jays could also be intrigued. However, they appear set at the corners and DH with Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind.
What about San Diego?
I see Hawpe and Headley getting the bulk of the playing time in SD, but Hoyer has been aggressive on buy-low guys, especially this winter. You’re right to point out the Padres as a potential destination.
– BNS
Davis makes sense for the Padres on the surface, but not when you look at their organization as a whole. They have Hawpe and Cantu at the major league level, which certainly isn’t anything special. They also have Blanks, Anthony Rizzo, Matt Clark and Cody Decker in the minors. They have a surplus of 1B in their system. Davis would only make sense as a buy-low/sell-high candidate if he rebounds.
I don’t know how any discussion about a potential team needing a third baseman can fail to mention the Angels, but I do understand that the Rangers are division rivals. Seems like a possible fit though, the Angels love third baseman who may or may not hit (usually not).
you will probably say the same thing even after the angels squash your team in the regular season
I’m not sure the Angels will be squashing the Angels at any point this season
You know, the division rival argument seems to be a little less true than it used to be. After all, the Marlins traded Uggla to the Braves and the Rangers traded Smoak to the Mariners. I’m sure there are other examples as well
Bottom line: what team needs a first baseman bad enough to give the Rangers enough to make it worthwhile? Personally, I’d keep him as insurance in case Moreland goes down or the Rangers trade MY and they need a powerful bat for DH.
The last time the Rangers had depth at 1B and traded it away..well now Adrian Gonzalez plays elsewhere.
and Carlos Pena
The Rangers are the only one of Pena’s 5 former teams that have anything to show for him right now, though the Rays will wind up with draft picks. Players that don’t break out until their late 20’s don’t do so with their original teams. Gonzalez trade = Bad move. Carlos Pena trade = You can’t wait forever on kids to develop. Roster space and options are not unlimited.
I could see the Cardinals as a fit here if Freese continues to have the ankle problems this year. That would provide a 3rd baseman for this year and a possible 1st base replacement if needed next year.
Possibly, but with Matt Carpenter emerging (he’s also a LH batter, no?), a trade for Davis would appear a luxury, rather than a need.
The Cards really need to focus on their middle infield, pitching, and resigning Albert Pujols, none of which trading for Davis accomplishes.
True, with Freese, Carpenter, and Cox we should be covered at 3rd for the coming years. Hopefully Cox can handle second and we could see him at some point next season. At this poing it’s probably best not to make any major moves until mid-season.
every one there is a big reason why Chris Davis plays 1st more than any other position. He is not at all good at 3rd.
Actually you are incorrect. Davis is great at 1B, and above average at 3B. His only problem is that he strikeout 2/3 of his AB’s.
I’d add Atlanta and Houston on there too. Atlanta has Hinske on the bench, but Chipper’s not getting younger and they have the rookie Freeman at 1B. And Houston is relying on two young guys (Johnson and Wallace) at the corners.
Orioles should look at him as a long-term option because Derek Lee definitely isnt it and neither is Brandon Snyder
I agree, there were rumors that the Orioles would try to trade for Davis in the off-season, but nothing came of it. I wouldn’t mind seeing him try to take aim at the RF scoreboard at OPACY.
I also agree that Lee is not the long term answer at first but I disagree with your assessment of Snyder. He is one of many Orioles farmhands looking to make good after a horrendous 2010. Let’s face it, the entire organization took a step backward last year and they are all looking to prove it was just a bad dream. Snyder certainly has the talent and did not look over matched in his brief visit last season and he has not looked over matched so far this spring. He was drafted as a catcher and is picking it up at 1B. And then there is Mahoney, with Waring also hanging around.
The Orioles are not short of legit prospects at 1B.
I disagree, respectfully of course, that Snyder is a legit “First Base” prospect. He looks like a good hitting prospect who could put bat aroud .300 but his offensive game isnt powerful enough to play 1st, especially in that division. And at his age, and production in the minors in 6 seasons, I just dont see any more power potential.
unfortunately, it wouldn’t make sense to trade for him at this point. the O’s, for better or worse, seem to be taking a “win now” approach, which they showed by signing Guerrero and Lee at the expense of at-bats for players like Riemold, Bell, and Pie. it’s a shame. the Reynolds + Hardy trades were great – especially Hardy, he is a better player than Bartlett, younger, has a better contract, and cost less in trade. I was hoping they would build on that by looking at potential upside players like Davis, Alex Gordon, etc., or at the very least give chances to the young players they already had, but…
In what bizarre universe did the Orioles see themselves contending this year? And this isn’t meant against you, but against the fact that you appear to be right, otherwise they wouldn’t have brought in the two veterans. The only other reasons I can see them signing Vlad and D. Lee are either they: a) are hoping that signing these two veterans and former All-Stars will put some butts in the seats (which I don’t see happening); or b) they are hoping these guys will provide a positive influence on the young guys during their one year in an O’s uniform. My guess is it’s closer to the latter – Buck has never really shown a Torre-like affinity for veterans over younger players.
I agree with you and UGEN64 but i can say that there is a crazy undeserved buzz and I have met people that have gotten season tix this season just do the the excitement. O’s fans are goin crazy here in Maryland, Im tellin you haha
Surprised the Phils weren’t mentioned. They don’t have the room to add any salary, but with Utley down and Polanco removed from the game today (hyperextended elbow IIRC), they’re looking at holes in two locations with only one guy to fill them (Valdez).
Barfield has been playing well at 2B, but you’d have to think they at least make a call about Davis.
Julio Lugo is a phone call away and is said to work on the cheap.. Seriously though.. With Texas expecting someone to not only pay the majority of Young’s exhorbant salary, but also give up somebody worthwhile in exchange for him. I am one of the people that still see Scutaro headed to Phillie if Utley misses more than a month.
His steady play isn’t going to even come close to replacing the best 2B in the game, but it will give u a solid/average guy to fill in for awhile and toward the tail in of last season he did an admirable job at 2B for Boston when his shoulder injury forced them to slide him there to shorten his throws up while Lowrie played Short.
I think Davis could be a nice option for the Dodgers to spell Casey Blake with a LH bat and give them another option should Blake go down for an extended period of time. Otherwise, Uribe is forced to move to 3rd and Carroll (along with his .339 slugging pct.) comes in @ 2B. He’s also insurance should the Dodgers decide to non-tender Loney at the conclusion of this season.
I’m sure under performing guys like John Ely or Scott Elbert could get the deal done.
Ely would get eaten alive in Arlington and I actually think hes gonna be a decent part of the pitching staff coming soon. If the Rangers want something of worth for Davis, then Davis is gonna get real upset about sitting in Triple A.
I echo the comment about the Braves, I doubt they’d be comfortable with Hinske in the outfield (Prado to third), or utility infielders taking over in the event of a Chipper breakdown. Then again, Davis is not much of an option at third.
Also, maybe the Mariners as they may want to hedge against the holes in Smoak’s swing.
id like to see the marlins push for alex gordon instead of davis and give matt dominguez to the royals. Then it would be awesome to see moustakas and dominguez compete for the starting 3B job
I would suggest the Dodgers as a potential buyer. Loney and Blake should both be gone next season (or sooner). Maybe a prospect or relief pitcher would be enough.
Why not the Cubs? Davis is a LH bat that can fill in for Ramirez when he inevitably gets injured. Plus, it might not hurt to be back with Rudy Jaramillo.
He actually kind of hated Jaramillo. They had a big falling out in 2009 when Davis was having his really awful season and he felt that Rudy wasn’t doing anything to help him get his mechanics back on track.
everyone needs to seriously stop thinking chris davis can play 3rd he has only ever played 44 games at 3rd in his big league career (192 at 1st in his mlb career) and holds a -33.5 UZR for third base for his MLB career DUDE CANT FIELD THE POSITION!!! he isnt going to the phillies, he isnt going to the dodgers to spell blake, he isnt going to the mets to take over for wright if moved, he is a 1st base/dh nothing more
also he has no right to be asking for a trade, he has been given every chance in the world since coming up in 08 and has never been able to keep the job. Even when the rangers got rid of Smoak for lee he still was not able to beat out moreland to take over at 1st. Yes he can rake in AAA but he simply cant hold down the position on a big league club. He needs to realize that.
Scouting reports, take them for however you like, say that he’s slimmed down this year and is more mobile and looks a lot better at the position. Not saying he’d be good, or even average, but he should be better than his past.
But it’s the same argument all over with him just because he can do it in the minors does not mean he can do it in the majors
I guess all good comments are good in moderation…
Did I offend someone?