Rajai Davis has agreed to a two-year, $10 million free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers, an industry source told sportsnet.ca. The contract will be a straight two-year deal that does not include any options beyond the 2015 season.
The right-handed hitting Davis will join Andy Dirks, Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter in the Tigers’ outfield, potentially as Dirks’ platoon partner.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, who managed Davis in 2013, said Monday that the outfielder adds a much-needed element of speed to a team’s roster.
“To have him on your team changes things because they don’t stop him,” Gibbons said. “That’s a huge element. It’s a luxury that a lot of teams don’t have.”
In 108 games with the 2013 Blue Jays, Davis hit .260 with a .312 on-base percentage and a .375 slugging percentage. He played all three outfield positions and stole 45 bases in 51 attempts. The five-foot-nine speedster has a career .294/.354/.425 batting line against left-handed pitching, though his numbers fall off against right-handers: .255/.297/.353.
Detroit has already added Ian Kinsler and Joe Nathan while subtracting Prince Fielder and Doug Fister.
