Yankees’ DFA of J.D. Davis a slap on Cashman’s face

New York Yankees first baseman J.D. Davis.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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The New York Yankees added newly acquired infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the 40-man roster following his trade from the Miami Marlins. To make room for Chisholm, the team has designated infielder J.D. Davis for assignment.

Davis, 31, has had a turbulent year, starting with an arbitration victory against the San Francisco Giants. Despite winning his case, Davis was released when the Giants signed Matt Chapman. He then joined the Oakland Athletics on a $2.5 million deal, significantly less than his arbitration award.

During his brief time with Oakland, Davis posted a 96 wRC+ over 39 games, playing first base, third base, and designated hitter. However, he was eventually designated for assignment as the A’s shifted their focus to giving more playing time to Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin at third base.

The Yankees acquired Davis from Oakland late last month, but his stint with New York has ended swiftly with the activation of Chisholm.

Jazz Chisholm during the Yankees' 8-2 win over Red Sox, on July 28, 2024
Yankees

The New York Yankees have parted ways with infielder J.D. Davis, ending a brief tenure marked by limited playing time and lackluster performance. Despite injuries to key players like Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo, Davis struggled to seize the opportunity, appearing in just seven games over the past month with a disappointing .105/.227/.158 batting line.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Stanton’s return to the lineup is imminent, possibly as early as tomorrow, which would further restrict Davis’s chances to contribute.

Yankees’ Davis trade raised eyebrows

Before joining the Yankees in 2024, Davis had built a reputation as a reliable hitter. From 2019 to 2023, while with the Mets and Giants, he posted a robust .268/.352/.443 slash line and a 120 wRC+. Known for his power potential and disciplined eye at the plate, Davis averaged 20 home runs per season with a solid 10.2% walk rate, though he also had a high 27.2% strikeout rate.

The Yankees now have a week to decide Davis’s fate. They can try to pass him through waivers, after which he could opt for free agency if unclaimed. Alternatively, the team might explore trade options before Tuesday’s deadline, delaying any waiver decision to gauge market interest.

Yankees first baseman J.D. Davis looks on in the dugout against the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

Given his versatility at first and third base, Davis could attract teams in need of infield depth. Despite his recent slump, his history of offensive production might provide valuable reinforcement to clubs looking for a reliable bat.

But the way the Yankees acquired him showed a sign of panic and exposed Cashman’s impulsive decision-making. The 31-year-old was brought in to address the Yankees’ corner-infield issues, which have been compounded by DJ LeMahieu‘s difficulties at third base and Anthony Rizzo’s absence due to a fractured arm. But he struggled to find his footing in his new role, as evident before his DFA by the the Oakland Athletics. His acquisition by the Yankees has raised questions about their evaluation process. Some speculate that General Manager Brian Cashman may have been swayed primarily by the player’s low cost, potentially overlooking the team’s existing depth in the process.

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