Whether it’s an early Spring Training charade or not, Chris Davis is getting re-acclimated with being an outfielder. There are potential winners and losers in this scenario if “Davis the part time outfielder” becomes reality.
The Losers
The outfield is already crowded, but there are certainly two guys who jump out to me as big losers in this. Delmon Young comes into this season with a bit of a promise he’ll get more “playing” time. I say it that way because it’s hard to call being the DH playing. The thought was between more DH at bats and some time in right field, he would become a much more regular part of the lineup. If the Davis thing is real, Young’s ABs coming as a right fielder will be diminished and potentially significantly so.
David Lough. Now more than ever do I think the signing of Everth Cabrera has as much impact on the outfield as it does the infield (maybe more). One of the few tools on Lough’s tool belt is speed and Cabrera certainly has that aspect of the game down. Lough had a tough enough time cracking into the outfield last season and now you add Davis and some chatter that Cabrera himself could spend time in the OF and I don’t see where Lough gets any more time than last year. Heck, he may not make the team.
The Winners
Steve Pearce. Pearce will be able to see more time at first base, plus he can play in the outfield and get in the lineup as the DH as well. Pearce will get every opportunity to prove that last year was no aberration.
Chris Davis. As long as he’s back on the right drugs, has his permission slip signed and can hit above .240, I suspect that Davis will be in the lineup nearly every day. He is THE big power bat now that Cruz is gone, so it’s important to the success of other parts of the lineup that he be in there.
The Other Guys
The move has potential to impact a couple other players, but my crystal ball remains a bit fuzzy on their fate. J.P. Arencibia is a guy that could make the club if there’s a little more room at first base. Not a bad guy for Buck to have on the bench…pinch hitter with pop, extra first baseman and a third catcher who actually has real catching experience. Rental agents in Norfolk can feel free to call Nolan Reimold now if he’s willing to accept the assignment. He was a longer than long shot to begin with to make the club, but this move would make it impossible. This also probably signals another year of seasoning for Dariel Alvarez in the minors, which I think is for the best moving forward.
It’s All About that Flexibility
If there’s one thing Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette love, it is flexibility. Obviously, roster flexibility has been critical to the O’s in the last couple seasons. Just look at the moves involving Miguel Gonzalez and Wei-Yin Chen last season to free up spots for short periods of time. The day-to-day on the field roster and lineup could get similar treatment, if the Davis thing is for real.
I’m smiling now thinking about how much fun it will be to see Buck play chess with actual chess pieces while others are playing with checkers.
