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MLB Free Agency: Top five remaining free agents

By Dave Stevenson

Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official baseball during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official baseball during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chris Davis

Chris Davis has got to be surprised that he’s still a free agent after proving that he’s the best power hitter in the MLB over the past three seasons. There are a variety of reasons why a team hasn’t signed him yet. Scott Boras’s asking price for Davis has been quite high, as expected. However, Davis turned down a huge offer from the Baltimore Orioles and nobody has matched it yet. Davis might have to see if the Orioles’ offer still stands or he might have to start considering taking a one-year deal and re-enter the market after 2016.

Another reason why an MLB team hasn’t signed the best left-handed power hitter yet might be because of his consistency. He was outstanding in 2013 and 2015, hitting 100 homers combined during those two seasons. He had a terrible season in 2014. He had a .196 batting average and had just 26 homers in 127 games before he got suspended for using Adderall without an exemption from the MLB. When he has been focused (he has ADHD which is why he took Adderall), he has proven that he’s one of the best MLB hitters around. 2014 still haunts him and teams have to consider that.

Another reason why he hasn’t signed could be that MLB teams have seen how Ryan Howard of the Phillies and Albert Pujols of the Angels have aged. Davis has a very similar body type to both players and is especially similar to Howard when you look at his numbers and Howard’s numbers before he signed his huge extension. If Davis’s power leaves him, he’ll have nothing left to make him a productive MLB hitter.

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