{"id":3075,"date":"2017-01-12T09:30:52","date_gmt":"2017-01-12T14:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=3075"},"modified":"2017-01-12T12:55:19","modified_gmt":"2017-01-12T17:55:19","slug":"rajai-davis-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2017\/01\/12\/rajai-davis-signing\/","title":{"rendered":"Recent Signing of Rajai Davis Feels Like Deja-Vu"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the recent signing<\/a> of Rajai Davis<\/a><\/strong>, Oakland A\u2019s fans have once again been left scratching their heads. To quote Yogi Berra<\/a><\/strong>, “It’s deja vu all over again.” The casual fan may be wondering why Billy Beane<\/a><\/strong> traded Davis in the first place. This is a fair question, considering Davis hit an unforgettable 8th\u00a0inning game-tying home run in Game 7 of the World Series.<\/p>\n

Recent Signing of Rajai Davis Feels Like Deja-Vu<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For more observant fans, the answer to that question is an easy one: it was the right move. Rajai would likely have become a non-tender free agent player at the December deadline. The A\u2019s had recently acquired outfielder David DeJesus<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Coco Crisp<\/a><\/strong> would be the A\u2019s center fielder and provide an invaluable spark to the offense in the years to come.<\/p>\n

Despite Rajai\u2019s Game 7 heroics, he averages just seven home runs per season. In 2016, he posted a .249 batting average and, since leaving the A\u2019s in 2010, his six-year batting average is just .257. He has not been able to match the .287 batting average he put up in his last year as an Athletic. In short, both Davis and Beane had moments of impeccable timing.<\/p>\n

As for the question in the knowledgeable fan\u2019s mind – why Beane decided to reacquire Davis for the 2017 season – only time can provide the answer. Rajai may boost the offense with his stolen bases, or provide leadership in the clubhouse. He may be valuable trade bait later in the season. A\u2019s fans can only hope that Beane once again has impeccable timing.<\/p>\n

Beane’s Recent Moves<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As every A\u2019s fan (perhaps every MLB fan) knows, not every decision Beane has made in recent years has been a home run. In addition to Rajai, several former A\u2019s (20 total, plus two top\u00a0prospects) appeared in the 2016 MLB Postseason, leaving fans wondering what might have been. Some\u00a0departures were undoubtedly welcomed (read: Santiago Casilla<\/a><\/strong> pitching just .2 innings in the NLDS after a horrific September and October), while others were understood to be rentals to be enjoyed for a short time in Oakland (Jon Lester<\/a><\/strong>, Jeff Samardzija<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Some\u00a0players, however, were sorely missed. Here are\u00a0the top five former A\u2019s players whose appearances in the 2016 Postseason left fans feeling “Beane-d” by Billy. Were A\u2019s fans feeling righteous anger, or were their complaints unfounded and rooted in sentimentality?<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Ben Zobrist<\/a><\/strong>, Chicago Cubs<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Contract Status:<\/strong> Zobrist was traded in June of 2015, when the A\u2019s were sliding towards a last place finish in the AL West. Zobrist was set to become a free agent at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

    Why it hurt: <\/strong>Zobrist is one of the most versatile players in the league – he\u2019s a switch-hitter who can play five positions.<\/p>\n

    2016 Playoffs performance: <\/strong>Zobrist was named the 2016 World Series MVP after knocking in the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth inning of Game 7.<\/p>\n

    Cool Beanes or Beane-boozled? <\/strong>While this trade hurt, the A\u2019s were not headed for the playoffs. It was also unlikely they would have been able to re-sign Zobrist at the end of the season. For Zobrist and cash considerations, the A\u2019s acquired LHP Sean Manaea<\/a><\/strong> and RHP Aaron Brooks<\/a><\/strong>. While Brooks is long gone, Manaea posted a decent 3.86 ERA in 2016, despite struggling in the first half of the season. In a perfect world, the A\u2019s would have called him up later in the season, but the young Throwin\u2019 Samoan\u2019s raw talent and determination carried him through the season. The future looks bright. Cool Beanes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      Coco Crisp<\/strong>, Cleveland Indians<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Contract Status: <\/strong>Crisp was guaranteed $13 million for the 2017 season if he made at least 550 plate appearances (or played in 130 games) in 2016.<\/p>\n

      Why it hurt: <\/strong>Coco was a fan favorite in Oakland. He was the sparkplug of the A\u2019s offense as a lead-off hitter. He fought off pitches and was a threat on the base paths. And who could forget Coco\u2019s performance in the 2012 ALDS? Fans watched in amazement as he robbed Prince Fielder<\/a><\/strong> of a home run in Game 3, and they danced in the aisles after his game-winning single in Game 4.<\/p>\n

      2016 Playoffs performance: <\/strong>Crisp had shining moments in the ALDS, ALCS, and the World Series this season. He homered in both Game 3 of the ALDS and Game 5 of the ALCS. His biggest impact was a single that knocked in the only run in Game 3 of the World Series for a 1-0 victory over the Cubs.<\/p>\n

      Cool Beanes or Beane-boozled? <\/strong>While Coco will be missed in Oakland, he is 37 years old, oft-injured, and has a weak\u00a0arm. A\u2019s fans can rest easy knowing that their friend Coco got to return to Cleveland, where he spent his first four MLB seasons, and play in the World Series. Cool Beanes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Josh Reddick<\/a><\/strong>, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Contract Status: <\/strong>Reddick was traded in August of 2016 and was due to become a free agent in 2017. He had not been able to come to an agreement on a contract extension with the A\u2019s.<\/p>\n

        Why it hurt: <\/strong>Reddick was another fan-favorite, with his acrobatic \u201cspider-man\u201d catches, walk-off pie escapades, and lucky wrestling belt. He hit 32 home runs during the A\u2019s memorable 2012 season and was in Oakland for four years, which feels like an eternity to an A\u2019s fan.<\/p>\n

        2016 Playoffs performance: <\/strong>Reddick appeared in 11 postseason games for the Dodgers and went 8-26 with 2 RBI.<\/p>\n

        Cool Beanes or Beane-boozled? <\/strong>With his batting average at a career high .296, the A\u2019s traded Reddick when he was most valuable. As an Athletic, he displayed rock-solid defense and a strong arm, but was inconsistent at the plate, perhaps due to a multitude of injuries during his four years in Oakland. Although Reddick\u2019s defense and gregarious personality will be missed, contract talks with the A\u2019s were at a standstill. In a five-player trade, the A\u2019s sent Reddick and Rich Hill<\/a><\/strong> to the Dodgers for pitching prospects Frankie Montas<\/a><\/strong>, Grant Holmes<\/a><\/strong>, and Jharel Cotton<\/a><\/strong>. Cotton was a bright spot for the A\u2019s last season, going 2-0 in 5 games with a 2.15 ERA. Cool Beanes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        1. \n

          Yoenis Cespedes<\/a><\/strong>, New York Mets<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Contract Status: <\/strong>Cespedes was traded in July of 2014 despite being signed through the end of 2015. It was unclear whether the A\u2019s would have been able to offer him a contact at the end of 2015.<\/p>\n

          Why it hurt: <\/strong>Cespedes was a back-to-back home run champion with a Cuban missile for an arm. He had undeniable swagger and his very presence was a threat that made the lineup better.<\/p>\n

          2016 Playoffs performance: <\/strong>Cespedes fell flat in the NL Wild Card game, going 0-4.<\/p>\n

          Cool Beanes or Beane-boozled? <\/strong>This trade is tougher to assess. Although Cespedes was a serious home run threat, his batting average was mediocre due to inconsistency at the plate. \u00a0His strong arm was evident in large part because he often bobbled the ball in the outfield, and had to compensate by throwing the runner out with a herculean throw. However, despite his shortcomings, Cespedes had an incredible outfield arm, power at the plate, and a dynamic personality. He also had a year left on his contract. Most importantly, the A\u2019s season went downhill quickly after Cespedes was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Lester and Jonny Gomes<\/a><\/strong>. Lester was acquired to help the A\u2019s win the AL West and avoid the Wild Card game. In the end, the A\u2019s lost the West and barely clinched the second Wild Card spot, then fell to the Kansas City Royals in a game that Lester started. Beane-boozled<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          1. \n

            Josh Donaldson<\/a><\/strong>, Toronto Blue Jays<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Contract Status: <\/strong>Donaldson was under team control until 2018. He was traded in November of 2014 and was eligible for arbitration before the 2015 season.<\/p>\n

            Why it hurt: <\/strong>Donaldson was a young, dynamic player and an asset on both offense and defense. In 2013, he made his unforgettable \u201ctarp catch.\u201d In 2014, just before he was traded, he hit 29 home runs. Josh was an integral part of an A\u2019s team that reached the postseason three years in a row. His WAR was 7.7 in 2013 and 7.3 in 2014. The fact that he was under club control for four more years made the trade jarring for fans, as it seemingly came out of nowhere.<\/p>\n

            2016 Playoffs performance: <\/strong>Donaldson hit .530 in the ALDS and .333 in the ALCS. His heads-up base running also led to a walk-off, ALDS-winning run.<\/p>\n

            Cool Beanes or Beane-boozled? <\/strong>Not much analysis is necessary to understand that the Donaldson trade was a swing-and-miss for Beane.\u00a0 Donaldson has reached the postseason in every full season he’s played. He was an MVP candidate in four of those five seasons and an All-Star in three of them. The A\u2019s received Sean Nolin<\/a><\/strong> (5.28 ERA in six games in 2015, current free agent), Kendall Graveman<\/a><\/strong> (4.09 ERA in 56 games with the A\u2019s, rotation candidate in 2017), Brett Lawrie<\/a><\/strong> (.260 BA, 16 HR in one season with Oakland), and Franklin Barreto<\/a><\/strong> (.293 minor league BA) for the perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. Unless Baretto maintains his batting average in the majors and plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, or Graveman emerges as an ace in the near future, A\u2019s fans have unquestionably been Beane-boozled<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            Billy Beane<\/a> has been vilified for a number of trades that actually made quite a lot of sense. However, the Cespedes and Donaldson trades were nonsensical and, for most A\u2019s fans, outweigh any positive trade that Beane has made in recent years. Here\u2019s to hoping that one day A\u2019s fans will see 25 of their guys in green and gold<\/em> on the field in the World Series.<\/p>\n

            Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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            Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n