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DETROIT TIGERS
Team Audit | Player Cards | Depth Chart

Agreed to a two-year deal with OF-R Rajai Davis worth around $10 million. [12/10]

When the Tigers traded Doug Fister, the widespread assumption was they'd use the savings to upgrade in left field, likely by signing Shin-Soo Choo. But Choo didn't arrive in Detroit the next day, or the day after that, and the addition of Davis all but closes the door on him ever arriving. Expecting an All-Star center fielder and getting a fourth outfielder instead is a surefire way to dampen excitement but, with careful managing, Davis can help the Tigers in their quest to reach a fourth consecutive ALCS.

Known primarily for his baserunning, Davis averaged 42 stolen bases per season, and succeeded on 80 percent of his attempts during his time in Toronto. Even at age 33, he should serve as a near-elite stolen base threat on a Detroit team that hasn't had one in a while. In 2013, the Tigers were the team least likely to take the extra base (33 percent; next-closest team: 35 percent) or attempt a steal (55 tries; next-closest: 67). But basestealing has been on the outs in Motown for longer than that: the Tigers haven't had a players steal more than 30 bases since Alex Sanchez in 2003. In fact, only the Giants and Cardinals have had fewer 30-plus stolen base efforts over the past 14 seasons than the Tigers.

Were Austin Jackson allowed to run at will, he likely would have joined the ranks by now. However, his attempts have declined with time, presumably to ensure Miguel Cabrera bats with a runner on board when the opportunity presented itself. Given Detroit's offseason additions—mostly Ian Kinsler and Davis—one must wonder if leveraging the running game could be a key difference between Jim Leyland and Brad Ausmus. Yet, as good as Davis is at stealing bags, his impact is likely to be overstated. Sam Miller estimated Billy Hamilton would add 0.11 wins over a month as a pinch runner—or about 0.70 wins over a full season—and that assumed optimal usage.

The good news is a well-used Davis can add value beyond baserunning. Though he's not an effective hitter against right-handed pitchers due to his tendency to step in the bucket—leaving him vulnerable to breaking balls and outside pitches—he has produced well against southpaws in recent years. Defensively, he doesn't use his speed to great effect. Still, Davis makes sense in a left-field platoon with Andy Dirks, which would enable him to sit against righties and enter the game in obvious pinch-running situations.

Detroit's (Likely) Left-Field Platoon, 2011-2013

Player

Versus RHP

Versus LHP

Davis

.232/.269/.329

.297/.363/.455

Dirks

.278/.333/.418

.265/.328/.392

While Detroit fans are understandably disappointed, Davis is a decent fourth outfielder with more late-inning utility than most. He's not going to shift the tide in the way Choo or Ellsbury would have, and he's not an everyday player. He is someone who can steal bases and hit lefties enough to merit the roster spot. How Tigers fans come to feel about Davis over the next two seasons will be a reflection of how well Ausmus deploys him. With the right touch, Davis could give the Tigers something they haven't had in a while. —R.J. Anderson

Fantasy

Rajai Davis

Here’s something you probably didn’t know: Rajai Davis was the 39th-best outfielder in standard leagues last season. He swiped 45 bags and scored 49 runs in just 360 PA, and put up a respectable-enough .260 average to not kill your team in that category in the process.

I entered the offseason really hoping Davis would end up with someone like the Mets or the Orioles or the Cubs, where he’d probably have a chance to play every day. He’d have a shot at 60-plus steals over the course of 500 PA. Unfortunately, his splits have relegated him to another part-time role, this time in Detroit, where he’ll serve as the short end of a platoon with Andy Dirks. Davis is still somewhat of a fantasy sleeper, especially since it will be easy to tell when you should start him, but this is far from the best-case scenario for him. Keep Davis on watch lists incase there’s an injury in Detroit’s outfield. —Ben Carsley

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NJTomatoes
12/10
The Tiggers are tiltling their model toward more speed, defense and athleticism. Better middle infield defense must have factored heavily into the decision to keep Porcello over Fister.
andrews
12/11
Actually Fister has been almost as much a groundball pitcher the past 2 years as Porcello.
edman8585
12/10
"In fact, only the Giants and Cardinals have had fewer 30-plus stolen base efforts over the past 14 seasons than the Tigers."

There is a common thread between these teams over a good chunk of this time: the torch of best hitter in baseball has been passed between members of these teams over that time. Doesn't make much sense to steal bases in front of such players.
juiced
12/11
Yeah, and the combined record and postseason accomplishments of those 3 teams over the past 14 years is far better than a random sampling of 3 MLB teams. Not particularly close either. Good teams don't attempt many sb's because they don't have to and don't want the cs.
hotstatrat
12/10
What I think happened is that the Tigers just recently found out Dirks was playing all year with his knee still hampering him and that they expect him to rebound and be a decent outfielder again. So, they stopped pursuing Choo figuring Dirks might be worth another shot and just found the perfect platoon partner for him.
hotstatrat
12/11
Sorry, I'm so thick, but I haven't the faintest idea why this was minused.
alor112
12/10
Does this signing really end their pursuit of Choo? They could use Davis as a 4th outfielder, pinch runner and against lefties that Choo does not match up well against.
juiced
12/11
10 million for 2 years' worth of a fourth outfielder? No thanks.