Former Blue Jays Outfielder Rajai Davis Signs With Tigers

Jun 12, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Rajai Davis (11) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Toronto won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

When the winter began and players filed for free agency, it was considered a foregone conclusion that outfielder Rajai Davis would not return to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. On Tuesday, that conclusion was proven true when Davis reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, as per Jon Morosi of FoxSports.

If Morosi’s tweet is proven true, Davis will receive a substantial raise from his relatively mild $2.5 million salary with the Blue Jays a year ago. However, the interesting take on this will be what kind of playing time Davis receives in Detroit. When he went to market, Davis was adamant in looking for a team that could give him a full-time role in the outfield, something that Toronto would not commit to.

By heading to Detroit, one would have to assume that Davis simply too a raise to provide the same role he did in Toronto. He will likely platoon in left field with Andy Dirks, as well as provide insurance for both Austin Jackson in center and Torii Hunter in right. With Detroit being a right-handed heavy line-up, Davis may find it difficult to force his way into the everyday line-up, especially with his struggles against right-handed pitching. He brings lifetime slash-line of .255/.297/.650 against right-handed pitching, while slashing .294/.354/.779 against lefties.

However, Detroit didn’t sign Davis simply to be a platoon outfielder. Rajai Davis bring game-breaking speed to the table as well, as evidenced by his lifetime BsR (Base-running runs above average) of 41.6 and his average of 43 stolen bases over the last five seasons.

We here at Jays Journal wish you the best of luck in Tiger land Rajai! Just don’t torch us when we meet up…okay.