Tigers close to signing Rajai Davis

[stonecold2136]

Looks like he could be Andy Dirks platoon partner if he doesn't sign with the Twins.

Sportsnet.ca's Ben Nicholson-Smith reports that the Tigers are the frontrunners for Rajai Davis.

He's also saying that Davis is expected to sign quickly, so it appears he might be Detroit-bound soon. The Twins are reportedly willing to offer Davis a multi-year contract, but it apparently might not measure up to the Tigers' offer. Davis batted .260/.312/.375 with six homers and 45 stolen bases in 2013.

 

[spockmaster]

Oh, DD. Please dont.

 

[stonecold2136]

LOL. Looks like DD is disgusted with the inflated prices on this years free agent class.

 

[sggatecl]

Can't wait to see Davis make Austin Jackson look like the second coming of Kenny Lofton.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Either no one or this guy and I pick no one.

 

[Rebbiv]

Last 3 Years Away (Average yearly salary, age)

Morse (FA/32) 100.6 RC/650 .285 BAVG .329 OBP .524 SLG .853 OPS 21.9 PA/BB 17.4 PA/HR

Granderson ($15 Mil, 33) 95.4 RC/650 .237 BAVG .333 OBP .482 SLG .815 OPS 9.0 PA/BB 20.1 PA/HR

Ellsbury ($22 Mil, 30) 95.2 RC/650 .293 BAVG .354 OBP .437 SLG .791 OPS 13.3 PA/BB 38.4 PA/HR

Choo (FA, 31) 91.7 RC/650 .264 BAVG .372 OBP .406 SLG .778 OPS 8.2 PA/BB 45.0 PA/HR

Beltran ($15 Mil, 36) 90.4 RC/650 .277 BAVG .347 OBP .458 SLG .805 OPS 11.6 PA/BB 29.2 PA/HR

Hunter ($13 Mil, 38) 81.1 RC/650 .275 BAVG .328 OBP .423 SLG .751 OPS 14.4 PA/BB 36.5 PA/HR


AVG AL LF 77.4 RC/650 .254 BAVG .317 OBP .409 SLG .726 OPS 13.6 PA/BB 35.5 PA/HR


C. Young ($7.25 Mil, 30) 75.9 RC/650 .219 BAVG .316 OBP .404 SLG .720 OPS 8.5 PA/BB 30.4 PA/HR

N. Cruz (FA, 33) 75.9 RC/650 .247 BAVG .299 OBP .432 SLG .731 OPS 17.0 PA/BB 26.8 PA/HR

C. Hart (FA, 32) 73.8 RC/650 .246 BAVG .316 OBP .406 SLG .722 OPS 13.9 PA/BB 34.6 PA/HR

F. Gutierrez (FA, 31) 72.3 RC/650 .265 BAVG .299 OBP .400 SLG .699 OPS 22.1 PA/BB 47.3 PA/HR

A. Dirks (28) 71.0 RC/650 .255 BAVG .315 OBP .374 SLG .689 OPS 15.1 PA/BB 56.2 PA/HR

J. Rivera (FA, 35) 70.6 RC/650 .270 BAVG .325 OBP .385 SLG .710 OPS 13.6 PA/BB 53.0 PA/HR


D. Young (FA, 28) 69.9 RC/650 .269 BAVG .309 OBP .397 SLG .706 OPS 21.3 PA/BB 36.5 PA/HR

Francoeur (FA, 30) 69.1 RC/650 .249 BAVG .293 OBP .409 SLG .702 OPS 21.7 PA/BB 36.4 PA/HR


McLouth ($5.4 Mil, 32) 68.7 RC/650 .232 BAVG .313 OBP .355 SLG .668 OPS 10.5 PA/BB 76.1 PA/HR

D. Murphy ($6 Mil, 32) 66.9 RC/650 .248 BAVG .319 OBP .371 SLG .690 OPS 12.1 PA/BB 49.4 PA/HR

D. DeJesus ($5.3 Mil, 33) 66.3 RC/650 .232 BAVG .308 OBP .365 SLG .672 OPS 12.8 PA/BB 52.1 PA/HR


Raja Davis (FA, 33) 59.0 RC/650 .245 BAVG .289 OBP .331 SLG .620 OPS 21.9 PA/BB 99.0 PA/HR

 

[michiganalex]

That article didn't say he'll platoon as stone is suggesting

 

[grandy]

Is a dedicated pinch runner worth the money they plan to offer (and a roster spot)?

 

[tomdalton22]

Last 3 years vs LH pitching

.297/.363/.818

Last 3 vs RH pitching

.232/.269/.598

If the price is right he is a good platoon partner with Dirks and great pinch runner off the bench...but the price has to be reasonable!

 

[Rebbiv]

Last 3 years vs LH pitching

.297/.363/.818

Last 3 vs RH pitching

.232/.269/.598

If the price is right he is a good platoon partner with Dirks and great pinch runner off the bench...but the price has to be reasonable!

Park adjust those numbers Tom. Besides, every available Righty OF hits LHP just as well, if not better or they play way better defense.

C. Hart .309 BAVG .391 OBP .575 SLG .966 OPS (Hitter's Park)

N. Cruz .309 BAVG .382 OBP .569 SLG .951 OPS (Hitter's Park)


R. Davis .297 BAVG .363 OBP .455 SLG .818 OPS (Hitter's Park)

F. Gutierrez .285 BAVG .325 OBP .476 SLG .801 OPS (Pitcher's Park)

R. Raburn .256 BAVG .323 OBP .465 SLG .788 OPS (Park Neutral)

 

[Rebbiv]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/pirates-discussing-logan-morrison-adam-lind.html

This is the type of player (Logan Morrison) DET should be pursuing. Can play LF and 1B.

 

[tomdalton22]

Park adjust those numbers Tom. Besides, every available Righty OF hits LHP just as well, if not better or they play way better defense.

C. Hart .309 BAVG .391 OBP .575 SLG .966 OPS (Hitter's Park)

N. Cruz .309 BAVG .382 OBP .569 SLG .951 OPS (Hitter's Park)


R. Davis .297 BAVG .363 OBP .455 SLG .818 OPS (Hitter's Park)

F. Gutierrez .285 BAVG .325 OBP .476 SLG .801 OPS (Pitcher's Park)

R. Raburn .256 BAVG .323 OBP .465 SLG .788 OPS (Park Neutral)

C Hart is coming off of a knee injury. He is expected to be a 1B more than a LF

N Cruz is going to be very expensive


Like I said....it needs to be at the right price and he should fit as a platoon and great pinch runner.

 

[tomdalton22]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/pirates-discussing-logan-morrison-adam-lind.html

This is the type of player (Logan Morrison) DET should be pursuing. Can play LF and 1B.

why?

 

[grandy]

Rajai Davis last 3 years Away vs L (188 PAs)

.297 avg .356 obp .413 slg .769 ops

 

[Rebbiv]

why?

We need a left handed hitter who hits HRs and takes a walk. Davis isn't either of those. We also need someone that could feel in at 1B in case Cabrera is injured or if Castellanos is sent down (moved Miggy back to 3B).

It is called roster flexibility.

 

[kingofdetroit57]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually like the idea of Davis coming here as a platoon/4th OF with a chance to win the LF job. The guy has elite speed (40-50 SB guy), which is something this team sorely lacks. If we're in a tight game, he could be subbed in after one of the OFs get on, and may be able to generate a run for us. Again, that's something this team sorely lacked last year that very well could have been the difference for us in the playoffs. If the deal is reasonable, I'm good with it.

 

[tomdalton22]

We need a left handed hitter who hits HRs and takes a walk. Davis isn't either of those. We also need someone that could feel in at 1B in case Cabrera is injured or if Castellanos is sent down (moved Miggy back to 3B).

It is called roster flexibility.

They also need a RH LF that can platoon with Dirks. What is Miami looking for in return for Morrison? Maybe get Morrison and Davis and trade Dirks?

 

[Rebbiv]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually like the idea of Davis coming here as a platoon/4th OF with a chance to win the LF job. The guy has elite speed (40-50 SB guy), which is something this team sorely lacks. If we're in a tight game, he could be subbed in after one of the OFs get on, and may be able to generate a run for us. Again, that's something this team sorely lacked last year that very well could have been the difference for us in the playoffs. If the deal is reasonable, I'm good with it.

Bench

Kelly (L)
Davis (R)
Holoday (R)
Lombardozzi (S)


Who would pinch hit for Iglesias against a righthander late in a close game? Kelly? Lombardozzi?

Davis would probably only platoon 25-30% of the games (the actual amount of lefthander starters faced). Otherwise, he would just be there as possible pinch runner? What a waste of a roster spot.

Again, he is Delmon Young bad on defense. So he would most likely coming out in close games. Kelly right now is the only one that can truly backup 1B in a game where Martinez started as DH. Sure, you can use Martinez, but then that means the pitcher MUST bat (no pinch hitting).

 

[tomdalton22]

So Davis would play in 25-30% of the games in LF and pinch run

Morrison would play in ??? games since they already have a LH LF, pinch hit for Iggy sometimes and back up Miggy.

 

[Rebbiv]

Morrison would make Dirks a bench player. Dirks pinch hits for Iglesias. And if he has to play 1B, then Dirks starts in LF.