Fansided

MLB Free Agency 2017: Top 18 players left on the market

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis (20) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis (20) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Rajai Davis, OF

Teams looking for a little bit of power and good speed out of a leadoff hitter could do worse than Davis, the near hero for the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the World Series. Davis does many of the same things that make Dexter Fowler great, but at a significantly lower cost. No one is speculating that Davis will approach $80 million when he signs.

Davis led the AL in stolen bases last season with 43, coming close to his career-high at the age of 35. He still has plenty of speed to burn, and also hit 12 home runs. His batting average and on-base percentage left something to be desired, however. Davis drew only 33 walks in close to 500 plate appearances, leading to a mediocre .306 OBP. For his career, the 11-year veteran has posted a .314 OBP, which is on the low end of what is acceptable for a speed-oriented player.

At this point of his career, Davis profiles nicely as a platoon option in one of the outfield corners. He has a .780 OPS for his career against left-handers, and a nice .288/.343/.437 line. Davis did have reverse splits in 2016, hitting right-handers better than left-handers, but his numbers should swing back to his career norms in the right situation. The Baltimore Orioles come to mind as a team that needs another outfield option, and a speed boost from Davis certainly wouldn’t hurt one of the most stationary teams in baseball history. Signing Davis for $5 million would leave the Orioles with plenty of cash left to bring back Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters.

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