Call to the pen
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Chris Davis has played his last game with Baltimore Orioles

By David Hill

Jul 3, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) walks to the dugout during the teams afternoon workout at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) walks to the dugout during the teams afternoon workout at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles had some good news about Chris Davis‘ production this season. After being worth a combined -5.7 bWAR over the past four seasons, he had produced 0.0 bWAR this season. Of course, Davis has yet to actually play for the Orioles in 2021, but let’s focus on the positives here.

That number will not change this season. The Orioles have announced that Davis underwent left hip labrum surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Chris Davis has played last game for Baltimore Orioles

In theory, Davis will be healthy for the 2022 season, the final year of his disastrous seven year, $161 million contract. The Orioles could attempt to squeeze some value from that deal, hoping against hope that he can be even slightly close to competent in order to get something for him at the trade deadline. At the same time, I might hit the PowerBall and disappear to Greenland.

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Davis will be 36 years old before the 2022 season begins. He has produced a combined .185/.272/.343 batting line over his 1453 plate appearances since the beginning of the 2017 campaign, hitting 54 homers and striking out 543 times. Davis has also cost the Orioles eight runs at first in that span, contributing absolutely nothing over the past five years.

Given his lack of production, and the ongoing Orioles rebuild, there is zero reason for Davis to be on the roster next season. Baltimore cannot give time to an aging veteran who has not been a productive major league player since 2016 at the expense of their younger players.

If the Orioles are going to get back on track, that will involve determining which of their younger players are viable major league options. There will be various bumps along the way, as they learned with the likes of Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, and Austin Hays. But the payoff is likely to be far greater than whatever Davis can provide at this point. He is already a sunk cost; it is time to cut bait.

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Chris Davis is officially out for the rest of the 2021 season. He should have also played his final game as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

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