The report goes on to say that it’s “possible the talks will resume where they last left off” but that the Orioles are committed to remaking the team for the 2016 season, and will pursue other players to accomplish that goal. That’s understandable, as Davis might be able to make more elsewhere, but the Orioles can’t let the likes of Justin Upton slip away while they wait for Davis to respond to the best offer they can probably produce. The reported offer of a $150 million contract (according to numerous sources) apparently appears to be the deal set on the table for Davis and his agent Scott Boras to look over…and fast.
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“Lot of interest, but now is the time of the year to buckle down and for people to make choices, what they are going to do with their teams and for players to choose what [teams] they are going to play for”, Duquette said.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports they offered more than $150 million to Davis, who led Major League Baseball with 47 home runs last season.
There is a chance that they still are interested in bringing Davis back, but certainly pulling back on an offer does not help their case, especially when he is the top power hitting bat on the open market this off-season. Davis also led the majors in strikeouts this year with 208; despite being prone to slumps at the plate, Davis has been valued for his prodigious power.
The Orioles want a decision from the free agent pretty quick. Plenty of time and room for another team to jump in there and snatch away MLB’s most eligible slugger, and I’m not so certain the Orioles would be too upset if that happened.
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The Mets pivoted to Walker after coming up short in their pursuit of Ben Zobrist, who signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. “The winter meetings is one of thresholds”, Duquette said Tuesday.
