Fansided

2016 MLB Season: 5 risky free agent signings

By Patrick Morgan

Mar 31, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; General view of Opening Day logo on the field before an opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; General view of Opening Day logo on the field before an opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-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 /

2. Chris Davis staying with the Orioles

Chris Davis has been a superstar for the Baltimore Orioles since they acquired him from the Rangers back in 2011. In 2012, his first full year in the starting lineup, he set a career high in home runs with 33, batted .270, and helped lead the team to their first playoff berth in nearly 15 years. He followed that stellar campaign with an encore performance in 2013 that saw his batting average rise to .286, another career high.

And while Davis was his usual dominant self last year, it’s that little 2014 season sandwiched in between that should give us pause about whether a new seven-year deal worth $161 million was worth it. The Baltimore slugger had about half as many hits that year as he did in 2013 and 2015, and his stats across the board regressed closer to what they had been when he was still hoofing it as a Texas Ranger. Every player is hypothetically allowed a down year every now and then, but the O’s just broke the bank to make sure Davis doesn’t leave town anytime soon – his new contract also includes a full no-trade clause.

Davis hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down, but he’ll turn 30 on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s reasonable to assume this deal could look like a very bad investment in a year or two when age begins to inevitably affect the slugger.

Next: 1. Johnny Cueto to the Giants

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