Houston Astros and Chris Davis a perfect match

Chris Davis has always been known for hitting tape measure home runs and drawing walks. He’s never been overly concerned with that whole batting average thing, just scoring runs the way he knows best. Some would say he’s the Houston Astros’ philosophy built into one first baseman.

It’s funny, because the Houston Astros just so happen to be in the market for first base help, and Davis is on an expiring contract and on an Orioles club that could be convinced to sell should they suffer a few losses in the coming week. It’s like the two were made for each other.

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Chris Carter and Jon Singleton haven’t given the Astros the production they would’ve hoped at first base this season, as Carter’s .183 average has overshadowed his 16 home runs and 43 RBIs, while Singleton has hit an even less impressive .171 in minimal action at the big-league level in 2015.

Davis, on the other hand, enters Monday with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs, with a much more respectable .242 batting average. He does lead the league in strikeouts, however, he’s also drawn 40 walks. Carter has actually out-walked Davis, as he has 45. But Davis’ average has him sitting with a .321 on-base percentage, some 24 points higher than Carter’s .297.

The numbers as a whole may suggest that Davis isn’t a significant upgrade over Carter, but the 58-point difference in batting average is hard to ignore. If the Astros were to acquire Davis, it would also allow Carter to slide into a part-time role and play some outfield, where Houston has gotten poor production from Colby Rasmus. The 28-year-old has hit .233 with 13 homers and 16 doubles, but has also struggled heavily against lefties and has the Astros looking for outfield help as the trade deadline approaches.

Platooning Carter and Rasmus in left could help both power bats get back on track, which would in itself almost serve as an additional deadline acquisition fixing the Astros’ outfield situation.

The Orioles still may decide to be buyers, but with a thin farm system and several expiring contracts, it’ll be increasingly tempting for the club to sell as the week goes on. It’s a buyer’s market, but Baltimore has multiple chips that sit towards the top of their positional trade markets. Should the Orioles elect to sell, the Astros should make a call about Davis. It would make baseball’s most powerful lineup even more dangerous, and that’s a scary thought.

Next: Astros Have Chance To Strike Again With Cole Hamels

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