Oakland Athletics sign Ike Davis, Fernando Rodriguez to deals
By Jake Misener
As part of one of the busier nights of the offseason, the Oakland Athletics offered contracts to both Ike Davis and Fernando Rodriguez ahead of Tuesday night’s non-tender deadline.
The A's agree to one-year deals with Ike Davis and Fernando Rodriguez.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) December 2, 2014
According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, Davis’ deal is for one year and $3.8 million. MLB Trade Rumors had projected Davis would receive $4.4 million in arbitration this offseason, saving Oakland somewhere in the ballpark of $600,000 in payroll in 2015.
The former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman, who joined Oakland via trade in late November, showed signs of improvement last season, batting .233/.344/.378 in 143 games between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh, clubbing 11 home runs and driving in 51 runs. The best season of his career came in 2012 with the Mets, when he hit a career-high 32 home runs, driving in 90 runs.
However, even then, he struggled to make contact – a trend that has been evident throughout much of his big league career – evidenced by his career slash line of .240/.336/.423.
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Many were surprised by the Athletics’ pick-up of Davis, especially when coupled with the signing of former Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler to a three-year deal. When coupled with the likes of Brandon Moss, Stephen Vogt and Nate Freiman, the team now has an abundance of first base options, leading many to speculate another trade could be in the works.
Rodriguez bounced back from a Tommy John surgery to break back onto the big league scene last year and according to MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes, the right-hander will make $635,000 with Oakland next season. The 30-year-old made seven appearances with the Athletics in 2014, allowing just one run on four hits in nine innings of work, also pitching to a 1.97 ERA with Triple-A Sacramento in 38 outings.
Prior to his stint with Oakland, Rodriguez spent two seasons with the Houston Astros and pitched in one game in 2009 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the team that drafted him back in 2003 in the 18th round.
The team also elected to not tender contracts to Andrew Brown and Kyle Blanks.