Continuing their search for bats, the Oakland Athletics have acquired first baseman Ike Davis from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for international slot money.
As A’s insider Susan Slusser indicates, it’s purely a depth move from the A’s standpoint.
A source tells me the #Athletics have acquired Ike Davis from the #Pirates for international slot money. It's strictly a move for depth.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 23, 2014
Davis hit .233 with 11 homers and 51 RBI last season. The veteran does fit Oakland’s philosophy of getting on base. He walked 63 times in 427 plate appearances last season.
Davis’ best season came back in 2012 with the Mets when he knocked 32 homers and drove in 90 runs. He’s an arbitration eligible player with a projected 2015 salary of $4.4 million.
Oakland added Billy Butler from the Kansas City Royals on a three-year, $30 million contract earlier this offseason. It remains to be seen what role Davis might play, but the A’s have made the point of indicating that Butler will be an every-day player between first base and DH. They also have Stephen Vogt (catcher, outfield, first base) and Brandon Moss (first base, outfield, DH) on the roster.
Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette