By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | Nov. 20, 2015, 12:50 pm CT, updated 2:15
Looking to improve an offense which ranked 24th in the majors in runs scored (647) in 2015, the Cardinals are interested in free agent slugger Chris Davis and have had discussions in recent weeks with his agent, Scott Boras, major league sources tell Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
Davis would undoubtedly provide some major power to the middle of the Cardinals lineup, as the 29-year-old (who turns 30 in March) has hit 159 home runs over the past four seasons, the most in the major leagues during that span. Last season, in 160 games, Davis batted .262 with 47 home runs, the most in the game, while knocking in 117 runs for the Orioles. With the bat, Davis’ greatest downfall is his free-swinging nature, as he led the majors with 208 strikeouts in 2015 and has averaged 187 strikeouts per season since 2012.
In addition to his great power, the Cardinals also appear to greatly value Davis’ defensive versatility, as those sources tell Morosi that the redbirds are intrigued by Davis’ ability to handle third base and the corner outfield spots in addition to first base. Though he’s appeared primarily at first (where he rates as a roughly league-average defender) in the last few seasons with the Orioles, Davis has played all those positions in his four years (2011-15) in Baltimore, rating out as slightly below average at each.
The Cardinals ranked 25th with 137 home runs in 2015 and are now facing the challenge of potentially replacing Jason Heyward, who could depart in free agency, in the middle of the lineup.
As for the sort of contract Davis is expected to receive, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman projects a seven-year deal for $182 million, while MLB Trade Rumors estimates a $144 million contract over six years.
Morosi notes that the Cardinals appear poised to spend aggressively given needs around the roster and a new television contract with Fox Sports Midwest which will contribute additional revenue before long.
St. Louis has been one of the few teams linked to both top tier pitchers and position players alike. Since the news the Lance Lynn will miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the redbirds have been tied to Mark Buehrle, David Price, and John Lackey, who lead the team in innings pitched in 2015, among others in their search for a starting pitcher. The club has expressed its interest in resigning Jason Heyward, and is also known to be looking for a middle infield backup, with a report tying them to the versatile Ben Zobrist.
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Feature image used under Creative Commons by Keith Allison. No changes made. Image license.
