The Reds have signed corner infielder Matt Davidson to a minor league contract, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports (via Twitter). Davidson will be invited to Cincinnati’s big league Spring Training camp.
Davidson didn’t see any MLB action last season, spending all of 2019 with the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate and hitting .264/.339/.527 with 33 homers over 528 plate appearances. These big numbers (posted amidst the most hitter-friendly season in Triple-A history, to be fair) could have inspired the Rangers to keep Davidson in his customary first base/third base role rather than further experiment with him on the mound, as Davidson pitched just one inning of relief work. Davidson did indicate last February that his pitching exploits were likely to be more of the emergency mop-up variety than of any real attempt to make him a two-way player, following three innings of pitching with the White Sox in 2018.
Selected 35th overall by the Diamondbacks in the 2009 draft, Davidson was sent to the White Sox in a notable December 2013 deal that brought Addison Reed to the desert. Davidson showed some promise in 31-game cameo with Arizona in 2013 and then hit .224/.291/.435 with 46 homers over 939 PA with Chicago in 2017-18, as his power potential didn’t make up for a lack of average and on-base skills. There was a lot of swing-and-miss in Davidson’s time as a big leaguer, with 355 strikeouts over 1028 career PA. Following the 2018 season, the White Sox opted to non-tender Davidson rather than pay him a projected $2.4MM through the arbitration process.
Turning 29 in March, Davidson projects to be a corner infield depth piece for Cincinnati on either their big league bench or at Triple-A. The addition of a 26th roster spot gives Davidson a greater hope of winning a job in Spring Training, though with Eugenio Suarez and Joey Votto firmly locked into third base and first base duties for the Reds, Davidson doesn’t have much of a path to regular playing time.
He can throw a NASTY hook!
At this point – and given that he’s actually been effective (albeit in an extremely limited sample) why wouldn’t he want to make an effort to be a 2-way player? His offense is just okay (he has great power but not much else) and if he could actually pitch a little bit it might give him the edge he’s going to need to actually make a ML roster. As it stands he’s a power-only corner infielder but if he were also a decent RP for say 20+ Innings of even 4.50+ ERA (mop-up type work) then he could be just valuable enough to earn a roster spot on an NL team being a pinch-hitter/RP and backup 3B/1B — idk just seems like at this point he doesn’t really have much to lose.
I think you are severely underestimating major league hitters and the true need for a mop up guy. I highly doubt he could just pick up a ball and be a reliable reliever over any extended amount of work. And if he could, he wouldn’t be a free agent. This is AAA depth in the event of injury.
Davidson was successful because he had better stuff than most batters were expecting out of a position player.
But at end of day, he has a 91 mph fastball and a curveball with very spotty command.
I watched an interview of Matt at Yankees stadium discussing how you should walk through bermuda grass (not artificial) barefoot. It’s called “earthing” and it apparently takes the earth’s energy and transmits it into your body. It’s similar to meditating. Matt is a very interesting man.
Well with his slash numbers he has plenty of time to meditate
Nah, usually just three pitches or less.
The Cespedesfamilybbq one? He’s a pretty stereotypical “California Man” for sure lol
He’s also kinda filthy on the mound. I hope he stays 2-way full time.
3-way, if he can also kick for the Bengals.
I met his brother a few years ago. SoCal surfer dude, most chill guy I’ve ever met. I’m assuming it runs in the family
PAPI—hey man—this is the best that your team is going to do in the winter? Wow. Pathetic don’t you think? Be honest Papi.
it’s going to be an interesting season in last place again. That’s three basement stops balancing out WS—not a good balance;)
I’ve been rooting for him to become a 2 way player since watching him pitch. Perhaps he has a better shot at making it happen with the Reds… Or eventually landing a 26th man spot with another team.
I hope to eventually see more two way players in the MLB, with the 26th spot becoming a really interesting utility spot for teams.
As a Reds fan, not sure I understand this move. I guess just depth…
No sense in really putting much thought. Most likely will be in Louisville but has some ability in case injuries forces him to Cincinnati
Minor league depth move not like they’re signing him to start at infield corner
Actually it means they’re trading Suarez and Amir Garrett and Davidson will be replacing them both. Also he’s going to be the new Assistant GM. And park cars.
Maybe the Reds trying to be the first team to have two active 2-way guys with him and Lorenzen? I’m thinking they will let Hunter Greene hit if he wants to as well.
That would be an interesting strategy, using all 2-way players so you have a 16-man bench!
I doubt it will be Lorenzen and Davidson but having multiple 2-way players rostered allows a team to have a pitching staff while maintaining a full bench,
A roster with 16 relief pitchers would be an economically viable alternative to paying at least $25MM/yr. for the 2020 version of a #1 starter (5 to 7 innings) and $15-20MM/yr. for a #2 and #3 in a rotation.
With the larger pitching staff pitch counts can be kept low and higher value pitchers can pitch 2 or 3 innings every 2 or 3 days with 1 or 2 players that are primarily position players reserved for the lowest leverage (real mop-up) situations…
Max pitchers on active roster is to be set at either 14 or I’m pretty sure 13. Don’t remember how the two-way guys get counted but if the count towards that pitcher total and aren’t highly competent as pitchers then it’s a waste of a roster spot.
If the number is 13 which i think it is. A 2 way would give you a 14th player as a pitching option. 2 Ways are a new 3 category of player. Position/Pitcher/2way
If they cap pitchers at any arbitrary total (which is beyond asinine) then it depends on the definition of a pitcher.
Lorenzen is a CF and Davidson is a CI/3B?
Maybe they should have claimed Robert Stock too. He spent his first 2 or 3 years in the minors as a catcher. A 3’rd catcher would provide a lot of flexibility and if he can pitch decently (closer to 2018) that’s a bonus.. Then again MLB would probably adopt the Little League rule preventing a player from pitching and catching in the same game.
i said it last year and ill say it again – three good outings does not a good (or even promising) relievers make
That makes no sense
No one’s saying that, they’re saying he had 3 good outings and maybe should pitch more to see if he’s legit or not.
I’m suprised he didn’t get in ML game in 2019.
The Rangers FO are dumb, yes agreed.
Sign on Redlegs!!
Low-cost, upside move. These kind of moves can pay dividends on occasion. I have tempered expectations for Davidson. I like it.
I’m glad to see this. The guy can crush it and would be a great flexible 26th man if he can also develop as a pitcher. He’s in the right organization for that, no question. I’ll be following him here at Louisville if he doesn’t make the big squad.
Take the cannoli
Enjoyed seeing him in Nashville last season. The only good thing about the Minors realignment plan would be to have Nashville play against former American Association teams, and then we could see Matt visit with Louisville.Now the Rangers need to sign another one-time big league power threat for depth and to please those who come out to the park for the game itself.
I thought the name sounded familiar so I looked it up.. He’s the guy who hit something like 7 HRs against the Royals in the month of April a couple years ago. I mean…I realize our pitching has been pretty lame for a while but that’s still quite a trick.
Weird signing on Davidson’s part. Usually when a player is reduced to looking for a minor league deal, he shops for a team that has a need at his position. Suarez and Votto are locks, and aren’t going anywhere. I would have thought he looked elsewhere (Tigers, off the top of my head).
He must have gotten next to zero interest.
Could be a very interesting move if he continues to develop as a pitcher.
He’d be ideal on a team with two left handed hitting corner infielders, but I am not sure that exists.