Oakland A’s: Khris Davis should not be candidate for outfield opening

The Oakland A’s are likely to have an opening in their outfield during the offseason. Khris Davis should not be a candidate for the position.

In theory, the Oakland A’s will have an opening in their outfield this offseason. Robbie Grossman, the incumbent left fielder, is set to reach free agency. After his productive 2020 season and changes to his swing, it is entirely possible that he will be priced outside of the A’s comfort level.

This will mean that the A’s need to find another outfielder that can fit into their budget. Chances are, they will either scour free agency for a potential bargain that they can sign late in the offseason, or turn the position over to one of their minor leaguers, either a Seth Brown or a Luis Barrera.

One potential option that has not been mentioned is Khris Davis. He easily has the highest salary on the A’s, as he is due $16.75 million in the final season of his two year extension. That salary is certainly hindering the A’s ability to fill holes throughout their roster, potentially including the outfield.

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However, Davis had been the A’s left fielder, holding the position as recently as 2017. He had also made occasional appearances in left in both 2018 and 2019, until injuring his hip running into a wall during an interleague game. His bat slipped after that collision, and Davis has not returned to the outfield since.

But desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. The A’s can scarcely afford to have their most expensive player strictly as a designated hitter. If Davis is capable of playing left, even in a part time role, the A’s would be more capable of filling out their roster.

At one point, Davis was even a solid outfielder. In 2014, his 14 runs saved were the most amongst National League left fielders. He led AL left fielders with three double plays in 2016, and ranks seventh amongst active players in fielding percentage.

Those days, however, have long since passed. Davis was a disaster defensively when pressed into service in the outfield, costing the A’s ten runs in his final full season in left. In his 15 games from 2018 and 2019, he cost Oakland five runs. As tempting as it may be to see if Davis can be useful in the outfield, that ship has sailed.

The Oakland A’s may need another left fielder for 2021. Khris Davis, despite his experience at the position, should not be an option.