MLB Trade Rumors 2016: Chris Davis Re-Signs with Orioles in a Lucrative Deal
The Baltimore Orioles decided against picking up Cuban star Yoenis Cespedes and instead re-signed reliable slugger Chris Davis on a very rewarding seven-year deal worth $161 million. The contract Davis signed was all worth it, even after a couple of months of back-and-forth negotiations.
The kind of money Davis gets will place him on the list of the highest-paid baseball players in his position. Sources also claim that part of the deal was to provide Davis a partial no-trade clause.
The 29-year-old is led the American League in home runs in two occasions while also striking out batters at least 199 times in two years, the last time was in 2013 when he nearly won the league MVP.
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Offering him a contract as lucrative as this makes a lot of sense for the Orioles. Although there are several power hitters in the free agent market who are still unsigned, Davis is different because no one else comes close to his ability to produce home runs in a consistent fashion every season. The other options Baltimore was looking into before offering Davis were Cespedes, Mikee Napoli, Alex Gordon, Jason Heyward, and Justin Opton.
But Davis' relationship with the Orioles hasn't been as smooth as one would expect. He attempted to price himself out of the team, with some reports saying that he actually turned down an initial offer of $154 million for seven years. But this is all about business and baseball is business. After rejecting the offer, the Orioles made other roster movements and additions, including Mark Trumbo, who could be put as first base or left field, Hyun-soo Kim (left fielder), and they almost even got Cespedes. Interestingly, if Cespedes agreed to sign with the Orioles, Davis wouldn't have been offered that kind of money.
The signing also means that Davis is likely going to be the team's first baseman when the season opens.
