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Jeff Passan, ESPN
Infielder J.D. Davis was designated for assignment by the Oakland A’s on Monday, sources told ESPN, three months after the San Francisco Giants released Davis during spring training and cost him nearly $6 million.
Oakland signed Davis, 31, to a one-year, $2.5 million deal in March following his surprising cut from the Giants. Davis beat San Francisco in salary arbitration and was set to receive $6.9 million this season, but unlike arbitration settlements, cases that go to trial do not guarantee a full-year salary. A week after the Giants signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a free agent deal, they released Davis, owing him only one-sixth of his deal, or $1.15 million.
Players around the league protested the decision with little recourse. The anger from Davis’ peers settled after he signed with the A’s, but he struggled in his 39 games with the team, batting .236/.304/.366 with four home runs and five RBIs.
If Oakland can trade Davis, the acquiring team will assume a portion of the remainder of his salary, which is fully guaranteed. Should Oakland be unable to find a deal, Davis could sign for a prorated portion of the $740,000 minimum.
Davis, who plays first and third base, has been a well-above-average hitter over his eight-year major league career, slashing .259/.341/.427. While defensive questions have held him back from receiving full-time at-bats, he hit 18 home runs and drove in 69 runs in 144 games with the Giants last year.
His best season came in 2019 with the New York Mets, who acquired Davis from Houston that winter. He hit .307/.369/.527 with 22 home runs and 57 RBIs in 140 games split between third base and left field.