The Yankees somehow have four first baseman (Mark Teixeira, Greg Bird, Dustin Ackley and Chris Parmelee) on the disabled list. Rob Refsnyder is learning first base as he goes. So, in the interest of signing someone, anyone, who knows how to handle the cold corner, the Yankees have signed Ike Davis to a big league deal, according to Jon Heyman. He will likely platoon with Refsnyder while providing a bit more power from the corner position.
Davis, of course, initially burst onto the scene with the Mets with a 19-home run, 3.8 WARP season in 2010. Since then, however, he’s only accumulated another 3 WARP. His last stint of MLB action was last year with the A’s, where he hit just .229/.301/.350. Davis had been playing this year at Triple-A Round Rock for the Rangers, hitting .268/.350/.437.
It’s notable that the Yankees would bring in Davis instead of bringing up Nick Swisher from Triple-A, but also not very surprising. Swisher entered hitting just .250/.280/.437 against sub-MLB pitching, and likely wouldn’t do any better upon arriving back in the big leagues. Davis is younger and performing better at Triple-A, so he therefore presents a slightly better option. It’s unlikely that Davis will tear the cover off the ball, of course, but it’s something.
Photo: Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports
, I like the move in getting Davis he’s very strong in his left with the first baseman they have now including the DL I’d like to get rid of mark text