Call to the pen
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles benching Chris Davis indefinitely is counterproductive

By David Hill

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) tries in vain to make it to first base during a MLB game on May 30, 2018, between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, in Baltimore, Maryland.The Nationals defeated the Orioles 2-0.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) tries in vain to make it to first base during a MLB game on May 30, 2018, between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, in Baltimore, Maryland.The Nationals defeated the Orioles 2-0.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Even Chris Davis’ contract cannot keep him in the lineup, as the Baltimore Orioles are benching him indefinitely.

It has been a rough season for Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. He has struggled mightily, posting a horrendous .150/.227/.227 batting line, with only eight extra base hits in 229 plate appearances. Not only is he on pace to be the worst player in baseball history, but a Baltimore bar is offering free drinks every time Davis gets a hit. It has been that brutal of a year.

For now, the Orioles are not going to give Davis a chance to work through his struggles. Instead, the former All Star slugger has been benched indefinitely, with manager Buck Showalter refusing to put a time frame on when he will return to the lineup. It is a chance to clear his head, refocus, and maybe be in a better place when he gets back into the batter’s box.

This also sends an interesting message. The Orioles are simply not going to play Davis just because of the money due on his contract. In what has become a truly lost season, the Orioles are going to try to find production, even if it means sitting their highest priced player.

And yet, it is difficult to see exactly what that will accomplish. Yes, Davis has struggled this season, flailing away in the batter’s box without success. And yes, it would be nice to see the Orioles get competent production at first base, whether it is from Davis or some combination of Mark Trumbo, Corbin Joseph, and Pedro Alvarez.

However, the Orioles are firmly engaged in a race to the bottom of the standings. As they head into action today, Baltimore has a 2.5 game lead on the Royals for that top pick in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft. Although they have added some talent to the minor leagues, they still have one of the worst systems in the game. Getting that top player in the upcoming draft would be a tremendous boost.

At this point, benching Davis for his lack of production is counterproductive. As much as it may sting this season, the Orioles need to embrace those issues, and let Davis work his way through his inability to produce with the bat. If that ends up costing them a couple of wins, and further solidifies their place at the bottom of the standings, so much the better for the future.

Next: Machado trade destinations narrowing

Eventually, Chris Davis will be back in the Baltimore Orioles lineup. At that point, he will be able to get back to chasing history.

Home/Baltimore Orioles