The Indians announced on Thursday that they signed veteran outfielder Rajai Davis to a one-year contract. The Relativity Sports client will reportedly be guaranteed $5.25MM plus incentives which can boost the value of the pact to $6.475MM. Specifically, Davis will reportedly earn $175K for upon reaching 400 plate appearances and receive an additional $175K for every 25 plate appearances from that point forth, until reaching 550 PAs, where his incentives max out
Davis, 35, has spent the past two seasons in the AL Central, appearing in 246 games and receiving 864 total plate appearances for the division-rival Tigers. With Detroit, the fleet-footed Davis batted a combined .272/.314/.418 with 16 home runs and 54 stolen bases. Over the course of his career, Davis has been a far more productive bat against left-handed pitching, posting a cumulative .296/.351/.448 triple-slash in parts of 10 Major League seasons.
From a defensive standpoint, Davis has had inconsistent marks throughout his career but is capable of manning all three outfield positions. He has at least 700 innings at all three spots, though the bulk of that time has come in left field and center field. Davis’ collective body of work in center field has received slightly above-average reviews from Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved, while he’s been below average in left field. Having turned 35 in October, it’s possible he’s slowing down a bit, as last season’s 18 stolen bases were the lowest mark of his career.
Cleveland has been in need of outfield depth, particularly with Michael Brantley likely to miss the start of the season. Davis now joins an outfield depth chart that includes Collin Cowgill, Abraham Almonte, and Lonnie Chisenhall.
The Twins and Rangers were also said to have had interest in Davis before he landed in Cleveland.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) first reported the agreement. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) and Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (on Twitter) added contract details, and Heyman later broke down the incentives structure (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Veteran who lost a lot of leg speed last year.
Not the ideal solution but is depth that they might need down the road.
Did Michael Bourn change his name to Rajai Davis?
Now see why Boston signed Young over Davis.. He was chasing too much for a 35YO who has lost his best asset (speed). Don’t blame Dombrowski for passing on him now, though do hope he can help out the Indians, they deserve to get some help out of at least one of these aging FA they have signed the last few seasons.
Not so sure De Aza couldn’t have done as well tho and for a lot less.
Davis hasn’t lost his speed. SB’s were down. but extra base hits were way up. especially triples.
Bruh that’s because he started more and had triples alley. We talking comerica.
Don’t just look at just one years stolen bases. Compare at bats over the last few years with the total doubles and triples for those years. Nothing in there suggests he has lost his speed.
Also, watch him run around the bases. The Indians will be happy with him for what they need and the price they can afford.
He’s still a very efficient baserunner, and I don’t see where he’s lost the speed. Watch this: m.royals.mlb.com/hou/video/topic/73955164/v4568477…
Napoli and Davis in one day. Ownership should’ve just pocketed the 12 million. Why even bother?
Not very often I recall reading about an outfielder who grades better in CF than in LF.
Yeah, I know. How does he manage that?
Lol Indians will still suck
Not a Indians fan but; funny how you say that yet you are the fans of Braves? LOL a pathetic organization that managed one WS during their ‘good years with Smoltz,Maddux and Glavine. And now are crappy and gonna take shots? sit down.
Davis is filling the spot for the year. Our outfield prospects are still a year or two away from being ready if that’s the route they are playing. It will be interesting to see if Clint Frazier gets a shot anytime soon.
Mike Napoli, Rajai Davis, Colin Cowgill, Robbie Grossman, and Joey Butler… WTF Antonetti and Chernoff!!! Waste of money.