The Miami Marlins can pick up a good bat practically for free

J.D. Davis is leaving San Francisco, should The Fish claim him is the question

Neil Raymond

J.D. Davis / Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/GettyImages

Jake Burger is a pretty good third baseman, who I expect to be pretty good for the Miami Marlins this upcoming season. The power hitter is supposed to spend some time at DH this upcoming season, but he's a definite fixture in the lineup. To be fair, the offense could be better than expected in 2024, but there is a definite need for more solid bats.

The Miami Marlins should pursue J.D. Davis on waivers.

3B J.D. Davis should be an option for the Miami Marlins. The third baseman is currently waived by San Francisco, since they signed new third baseman Matt Chapman. San Francisco don't want to pay Davis's $6.9 million salary apparently, so he's now on waivers waiting to be claimed by a new team. If he isn't picked up by anyone, he will almost certainly be released. His salary has been decided in arbitration, so San Francisco isn't actually obligated to pay it upon his release.

The Fish should certainly submit a claim for the slugger. After a forgettable debut with the Houston Astros from 2017 to 2018. He was traded to the New York Mets and played there from 2019 to 2022. From 2019 to 2021 he batted .288/.373/.472, in 269 games and 779 AB. He hit 22 home runs in 2019, in the so-called "juiced ball" season.

He batted .248/.340/.418, with 12 home runs and 35 RBI, in 115 games and 318 AB. Last season with San Francisco, he batted .248/.325/.413 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI, in 144 games and 480 AB. He hasn't been particularly good defensively, with a career total -5.5 dWAR. He may not be a defensive wizard, but he has an interesting bat. He does technically have the ability to hit around .280 with 20 or so home runs.

It may be optimistic to expect him to provide that, but he at least offers some help off of the bench. $6.9 million may be a bit much, but he has a very strong 92.4 Exit Velocity in 2022 and a 91.1 Exit Velocity in 2023. Those are intriguing numbers and imply that there may be a power breakout in the works. The Miami Marlins should take a chance on J.D. Davis.

Neil Raymond

Neil Raymond has been a lifelong Miami Marlins fan, with the 2003 playoff run being one of his favorite childhood memories. Neil has been called a "walking encyclopedia" for his knowledge of MLB statistics and the sport's history. He follows every game and actually invented his own statistic for player value on his side project BaseballAnalyzed.com. Writing for Fansided's Marlin Maniac since 2022, he also loves Fantasy Baseball and as such is an FSWA member. Neil also loves to travel, read and follow "Futbol" teams: Germany, Argentina, Greece, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and NYC FC.