REPORT: Yankees Trade Brings MLB Top Star Infielder Back to New York
Amid rampant speculation about who the Yankees might target before the 2024 MLB trade deadline, the team made an unexpected move by acquiring JD Davis, a player struggling to revive his career this season, after the A’s designated him for assignment last week following a slow start to 2024.
The Yankees traded minor league infielder Jordan Groshans to the A’s for Davis and cash considerations on Sunday.
Davis offers versatility, capable of playing third base, first base, and the outfield, but his infield flexibility will be particularly valuable to the Yankees. The team has faced challenges with DJ LeMahieu struggling at third and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has also been struggling, now sidelined with an arm injury.
Despite performing well as the Giants’ third baseman last year, playing 144 games with 116 at third base, Davis was unable to secure a contract this offseason. He eventually signed with the A’s in March, starting nine games at first base this year. Throughout his career, he has played 72 games at first base.
JD Davis Excelled With the Mets
Davis, now 31, had his best MLB seasons with the crosstown Mets, notably hitting .307 with 22 homers and 57 RBI in 2019, his third season in the majors. Although his career looked promising then, he hasn’t been able to replicate those numbers since.
With the Yankees, Davis has an opportunity to revive his faltering career, at least in the short term. This year, he batted .236 for the A’s over 39 games, with an on-base percentage of .304 and a slugging percentage of .366. Davis is capable of better performance, and filling in for the injured Rizzo could help him secure a position.
Last week, the Yankees called up rookie first baseman Ben Rice from Triple-A. Despite an impressive minor league performance, Rice has struggled, going 3-for-14 in his initial major league games. Davis might be the next option to step in for Rizzo.
Yankees Need a Stopgap Option
Davis isn’t a star, but he’s a reliable fielder and an average hitter, which the Yankees are willing to accept for now. Returning to New York might reignite the form he showed during his breakout 2019 season with the Mets.
Despite the Mets’ appreciation for Davis, they struggled to find a consistent position for him amid managerial and coaching changes. He bounced between third base, the outfield, and first base, never finding stability, which impacted his performance at the plate.
“I had to figure it out on my own,” he told The Athletic in July 2023. “We want to put our best selves forward and perform at our best. You have the ability to help us prepare. I’m a big preparer. If you give me 24 hours to prepare, ‘This is what you’re doing tomorrow,’ that’s greatly appreciated.
“There’s that anxiety coming to the field that I’ve got to cross my Ts and dot my Is, I need to get reps in left field, I need to get reps at third base. In two hours, I’m going to know what position I’m going to play.”
While he might not have that luxury with the injury-plagued Yankees, Davis is, at least, back in New York.