2 Teams Linked To Recently-Released JD Davis

JD Davis's reign at third base for the San Francisco Giants effectively came to an end when they signed free agent Matt Chapman at the beginning of this month, a four-time Gold Glove winner at the hot corner. It officially was done 10 days later, when the Giants released Davis after he went unclaimed on waivers. 

According to insider Jon Heyman, there are two teams around the majors who make the most sense to be in on taking a shot at the newfound free agent, one is his former team, and the other, the club who lost Chapman. 

Mets are among teams to have reached out on old friend JD Davis, Jays seem like a logical fit but he’d help his former team in Queens, too.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 12, 2024

Heyman says the New York Mets have actually reached out to Davis, who spent 3 1/2 seasons in Queens, putting up some pretty decent offensive numbers. He batted .278 during that time with an .815 OPS and an OPS+ of 123. But his defense at third left plenty to be desired, always finishing with a negative Outs Above Average in New York. 

In 2023 with the Giants, his defense at 3rd was much better, with a +6 OAA, and he launched 18 homers to go along with 69 RBIs while batting .248 with a 103 OPS+ in 144 games. 

The Toronto Blue Jays, meanwhile, in losing their Gold Glove third baseman, have seemingly settled on the mediocre Isaiah Kiner-Falefa at the hot corner, with perhaps the occasional Craig Biggio, Santiago Espinal, Ernie Clement or Justin Turner games thrown in. Davis would be an upgrade. But have the Jays already spent their offseason budget? 

Davis has a lifetime .261 average, a .343 on-base percentage, a .775 OPS and a 113 OPS+. 

Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports