The White Sox will non-tender infielder Matt Davidson, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Eligible for arbitration as a Super Two, the slugger was projected by MLBTR & Matt Swartz to earn $2.4MM.
Davidson, 28, made some positive strides with the White Sox last season, as he more than doubled his walk rate from 4.3 percent in 2017 to 10.5 percent in 2018. Davidson managed to cut back on the alarming 37.2 percent strikeout rate he posted in 2017 as well, though his 2018 rate of 33.3 percent was still far too high. Although the slugger’s overall offensive output improved from .220/.260/.452 to .228/.319/.419, his markedly improved on-base skills came with a noted downturn in his power production.
Defensively, Davidson played a respectable first base, per both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating, but he saw limited action at his original position, third base, and was primarily a designated hitter when in the lineup. A player with such limited defensive value and questionable contact skills was apparently a tough sell in the White Sox’ front office, but Davidson could hold some value as a corner-infield bat off the bench elsewhere. He did post impressive platoon numbers, clobbering lefties at a .289/.382/.500 clip. That, however, was accompanied by a corresponding .206/.296/.391 slash against righties.
This comes a s a surprise to me
Haven’t watched him play much but he doesn’t seem to get on base much and strikes out a ton, even so his power numbers don’t warrant enough to keep him around either, maybe if he hit more then 20 but how is his fielding?
His fielding is terrible. Unplayable at 3rd and makes Abreu look like a Gold Glover at 1B.
Then there you go lmao, not a very surprising move at all then.
Yeah he really blew it in the Cincinnati game with Volstad pitching.
Um, Matt Davidson is a better defensive 1B than Jose Abreu.
I saw him in spring training at third and he looked like a little leaguer out there. 5 innings of action and at least 3 misplays that any competent fielder would have handled.
Brooks Kieschnieck 2.0.
Well, I’d like to think he hit a FEW more homers. Lol
You mean Davidson can pitch too?
He wants to pitch, too.
why
kind of a dumb move
That’s actually surprising, damn
Avisail Garcia should be next.
They should’ve moved him after he had the big, fluke year in 2017. Too late now.
To move someone, there has to be someone to move him to
In the case of Garcia, everyone knew his season was a fluke, so no one was interested.
He had a ridiculous babip that season
I don’t disagree with you, but there’s always a sucker out there.
They could’ve gotten something for him then whereas now he’s pretty much worthless.
Yeah, but if it the return coming back was going to be minimal, would it have been worth it? Or was it worth the risk to see if he could have another solid half of baseball to convince everyone 2017 wasn’t a complete fluke?
We obviously don’t know what was being offered, but based on the fact Rick didn’t make I move, I think he took a calculated risk there. It didn’t work out in the end, but I’d imagine he missed out on very, very little and won’t be losing any sleep over the decision.
My guess is that all the other teams knew that, along with Garcia, the Sox were likely to non-tender both Garcia and Davidson (which they did) so Im guessing there were no calls. I would not be surprised if both of these guys go somewhere else and somehow be all stars, it is just the Chicago way.
Big time surprise. It’s not like the guy has no value. He won’t be unemployed for long.
Letting him go for 2.4-ish million? Hmm, interested to see who they have in mind for 3B.
He wasn’t an option for third…
Thanks. I see that he actually spent more time at 1B than 3B last year.
As of now it’s Yolmer Sanchez job again this year.
Third base wasn’t much of an option for Matt Davidson in 2018 and wouldn’t have been this season either. As for Yolmer Sanchez, he will likely swap positions with Yoan Moncada in 2019 unless the White Sox make a move for an impacting third baseman like Manny Machado this offseason. If the latter scenario doesn’t happen, Sanchez will keep 2B warm for Nick Madrigal until 2020 while Moncada gets first crack at becoming the White Sox core player at the hot corner. In the unlikely event that Machado or someone else is acquired this winter, Moncada would then stay at 2B in 2019 while Sanchez becomes their primary utility infielder.
Trust me I know. Davidson sucks in the field.
Volstad knows he and Palka both suck in the field.
Rather play Carlos Sanchez everyday over him. Not that Sanchez is the answer at 3B. White Sox rumors to signing Nelson Cruz as there DH makes even more sense now. I love the addition of Alex colome.
Get him Orioles
So much for the two-way dream…
Wow! That’s a surprise.
We see more and more of these players that can hit home runs but can’t do much of anything else get non-tendered.
The way it should be.
A couple of surprises from the front office on non-tender deadline day. Can’t hardly wait to see what else they have up their sleeves!
100% means they’re getting machado
110% guarantee you’re speculating
So he can DH? Not very good news for Daniel Palka either. lol
So far, I like what the Sox are doing today. Now if they’ll just non-tender Avi, all is well on this Friday.
Also, pleae DO NOT replace Davidson with Nelson Cruze!
Can he be any worse than Longoria?
“Hold my beer.”
– Matt Davidson
Nope. Much cheaper, too.
The hitter or the pitcher?
The pitcher at least showed a little potential. I guess Colome took his spot.
I’m not surprised honestly. I say we’ll most likely give Palka a shot at being the everyday DH. Yolmer Sanchez is the everyday 3rd baseman for now too.
A platooning DH at best. Yolmers not the answer either he’s more a utility guy off bench than a regular in lineup. He gone soon
I hope not. Even if he does go back to a bench role I love his personality and passion and would love for him to stay a South Sider for the rest of his career.
Don’t worry. Despite feeling like he has been around forever, he’s only 26, and he’s under control until 2022. He won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Royals be smart some guys hit well in some stadiums KC this is your man on a cheap contract # 3b,1b,DH fill in