When the Tribe signed outfielder Rajai Davis in December, there was no fanfare involved. Most fans saw Michael Bourn all over again, another washed-up veteran who would fizzle out and underperform. Davis, however, has been everything the Tribe hoped Bourn would be back in 2013 and has become an essential part of the Indians’ success so far this year.
Marlon Byrd and Abraham Almonte were suspended for PEDs. Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall have spent time on the DL. Jose Ramirez and Michael Martinez split utility time in the outfield and infield, and Martinez and Tyler Naquin have shuttled back and forth between Columbus and Cleveland. But through it all this season, Davis has remained a consistent presence in the outfield and the Tribe lineup despite the revolving cast of characters surrounding him in the outfield.
Take Monday night’s come-from-behind win against Tampa Bay. With the Tribe down a run and Yan Gomes on third with one out in the 7th, Davis sent the first pitch he saw to right field for a sacrifice fly that tied the game. He also had a hit, his league-leading 21st stolen base, and manned both centerfield and right field admirably after some defensive shifting late in the game. He did nothing spectacular, but accomplished just what the Tribe needed from him to get the win.
Davis’s numbers don’t overwhelm anyone with his .264 average, 7 homers, and 27 RBIs, but he finished with a .258 average, 8 homeruns, 30 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in all of last season in 112 games with Detroit. He has nearly eclipsed his season totals in just under three months of play, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down either.
Not only has Davis been consistent and better offensively than last year, but he has also provided the versatility that Tito Francona has come to expect out of his players. He has spent time at all three outfield positions, and splits time in the lineup between leadoff and the 9-hole. Wherever he has been needed, Davis has stepped up and performed the way a team wants a veteran to play.
While his arrival didn’t produce excitement in Tribe fans, Rajai Davis’s consistency has been a pleasant surprise to an outfield filled with question marks this season. Davis is just the kind of low-expense, veteran free agent that the Indians so often strike out on and could’ve been another Michael Bourn, Mark Reynolds, or Brandon Moss, but so far this season he’s delivered just the boost the Indians wanted when they signed him.
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