Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis (20) hits a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielder Rajai Davis signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports and later confirmed by multiple outlets.
Davis, 36, slashed .249/.306/.388 with 12 home runs and 43 stolen bases over 134 games with the Cleveland Indians last season. The Indians balked at the $17.2 million qualifying offer needed to retain his services, which would have also cost Cleveland a draft pick.
The Indians instead chose to sign former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million deal.
Davis was a key contributor on an Indians squad that was the American League champion and reached the World Series this season. Davis was quiet for most of the playoffs other than a two-run homer in Game 7 of the World Series against former Chicago Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman to tie it 6 before the Indians lost 8-7 in 10 innings.
In 11 seasons, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the San Francisco Giants, Oakland, the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers and Indians, Davis has a .267 average and 365 stolen bases. Davis stole 116 bases and batted .252 in three seasons with the A’s from 2008 to 2010.
