Khris Davis' Days in Milwaukee Should Be Numbered
- Oct 10, 2015
- 3 min read
There may not be another member of the Milwaukee Brewers who has created such a divide amongst the fan base as Khris Davis - at least since Rickie Weeks left.
It's often a debate that centers around Davis' offensive value as measured by more advanced statistics versus those that look at his batting average, strikeouts and poor arm in the field.
I'd like to see the Brewers move aggressively to trade Davis before the club reunites for Spring Training in 2016, but it may not be for the reason you're thinking of.
With David Stearns in the fold as the new general manager, it will make for an even more interesting off-season story as to how he sees Davis. Stearns clearly comes from the new-school method of metric evaluation, though his perspective of the current and future roster will play a huge role.
Why would I like to see the Brewers' left fielder dangled to the rest of the league? For me it comes down to depth in the organization, Davis' age and potential of selling high to get the greatest return.
Davis was one of the hottest hitters in baseball the final two months of the season, blasting 20 homers and driving in 44 runs while posting a .582 slugging percentage (SLG) and a .905 OPS - elite power numbers.
He would finish the year tied for 10th in the National League with 27 home runs, despite playing in only 121 games due to a right knee injury.
Had he earned enough plate appearances to qualify, Davis also would have been 8th in SLG (.505) in the NL, right behind the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo.
The details above are a couple of the reasons that, although I like Davis as a player overall, it would be best to see him in another uniform next season.
His power is legit and it's something that is lacking throughout the majors - especially from the right side of the plate. Davis' incredibly hot finish can only help add to his appeal as clubs are left with the lasting impression of his 20 trots around the bases in a mere 51-game stretch.
Selling him at peak value is a key, and it's hard to imagine Davis upping his stock any more next season.
There's also the risk of holding onto him for too long with the potential for another injury. Part of the reason he was slow to reach to big leagues was due to nagging injuries. While this was the first time he hit the DL with the Brewers, his body may not be up to being an everyday player.
After all, he will already be 28 at the start of 2016, and by the time Milwaukee is seriously competing he will be in his 30s - hardly the time to think a player will be peaking for you.
His current age and production - along with his extremely friendly salary of just over $519,000 - make Davis an even more attractive candidate for a team looking to win now and over the next few years. Davis will get some decent bumps in pay, but nothing close to matching is output and he won't be a free agent until after the 2019 season.
Considering his weak arm that every team runs on, and the uncertainty of his physical durability, Davis looks primed for an American League team. There a club can have his bat in the lineup daily, pick their spots on when he plays the outfield, and give his legs a break as the DH whenever they'd like.
As with all deals, the potential return will dictate if any action is taken this offseason. It wouldn't be a bad consolation prize to keep Davis' power in the lineup for a bit longer.
Eventually, it would seem the writing is on the wall with the organization stocked with high-ceiling outfielders. They might not quite be ready next season, but come 2017 they will certainly be ready to infiltrate Miller Park - and Davis will no longer have a spot anyway.
Comments