The 2024 season has been a challenging one for J.D. Davis, who is now on the verge of joining his third MLB team this year. The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly set to sign the 31-year-old corner infielder after his release from the New York Yankees on August 2, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Davis had recently joined the Yankees from the Oakland Athletics, acquired on June 23, 2024, in exchange for Jordan Groshans. The Yankees brought him in as a depth piece to address their infield injury issues, but Davis saw limited action, appearing in just seven games with a disappointing slash line of .105/.227/.158 before being released.
The Yankees likely wouldn’t be pleased to see Davis turn things around with the Orioles, especially given that New York currently leads the AL East by just half a game over Baltimore. With infield regulars Jordan Westburg and Jorge Mateo on the injured list, the Orioles needed depth, and Davis could provide that, along with some power potential.
Whether Davis can revive his career with the Orioles remains to be seen. Known for his power during his time with the New York Mets, Davis hit 22 home runs in 2019, though his value was often undermined by shaky defense. After a few down years, he showed signs of a resurgence in 2023, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 69 runs for the San Francisco Giants, making him a solid, though unspectacular, everyday player. However, in 2024, Davis has struggled to contribute positively.
It’s unclear how Davis will fit into the Orioles’ plans if he stays on their major league roster. Baltimore recently called up top prospect Coby Mayo, and with Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, and Jackson Holliday secure in their positions, Ramon Urias might be the most likely to lose playing time. But if anyone gets more at-bats at third base, it seems more likely to be Mayo rather than Davis.
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