Toronto Blue Jays trade for Rajai Davis
The Toronto Blue Jays had 58 stolen bases last season, good enough for last place in the American League. They addressed that part of their game on Wednesday by trading two Minor League pitchers, Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar, to the Oakland Athletics
for outfielder Rajai Davis.
Last season, Davis finished second in the American League with 50 stolen bases. He was caught only 11 times.
“It's well documented, team speed, stolen bases we're very low,” said Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “Rajai was second in the American League in stolen bases [with] a very good caught-stealing percentage as well. It was a skill set that we really
don't have a lot of right now in this organization and it allows us to balance the team a little bit more.”
The 30-year-old can play any of the outfield positions which will give the Blue Jays a number of options. They can move Juan Bautista to third base and put Davis in right field, they can have Davis come off the bench as a utility outfielder, or they can
platoon the outfielder as they did at times last season. The team will probably try a few options before settling in with the one that works best.
“We haven't made any determinations yet,” Anthopoulos said. “I don't know yet what his role is going to be for next year because I don't want to make a determination today and then have something come up in a week, or two weeks, or a month from now that
changes that direction.”
Davis will look to be an everyday player, and if he is successful he may find himself at the top of the batting order in Toronto.
“That is definitely something to look forward to,” said Davis “I look forward to playing, to winning, and I think just being able to play every day is something that excites me.”
Last season Davis his .284 with five home runs and 52 RBIs in 525 at bats.
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