Just days after being controversially released by the San Francisco Giants , infielder and slugger J.D. Davis has agreed to a one-year deal with the crosstown Oakland Athletics.
Per Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic' on social media:
Free agent J.D. Davis in agreement with A’s on one-year, $2.5M contract with $1M in incentives. Will play third base. First with agreement: @ByRobertMurray
Davis was made expendable in San Francisco after the team came to terms with free agent Matt Chapman but didn't take long to find a new home.
The 30-year-old likely had suitors among contenders who would have seen him as a platoon or bench bat, but he elects to go to Oakland where he likely has an everyday job secured. Furthermore, given the nature of where the A's are as a franchise right now, he could always be traded at the deadline if he's performing well.
The Cal State Fullerton product is entering his eighth season in the big leagues. He made his major league debut in 2017 with the Houston Astros and then spent parts of four seasons with the Mets and two with the Giants.
He played 144 games last year for San Francisco, popping 18 homers and driving in 69. His career high in homers is 22, which he achieved back in 2019.
The A's led baseball in losses last season and figure to be in the same neighborhood again this year, but perhaps added veterans like Davis and pitcher Ross Stripling, coupled with the development of young players like Zack Gelof, can help them have a better year this year.
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