New York Yankees Rumors: Ike Davis On The Radar?

New York Yankees Rumors: Could the Yankees sign Ike Davis for some organizational depth with Greg Bird being out for the season with shoulder surgery?

The New York Yankees suffered a big blow a little over a week ago when it was announced that Greg Bird would miss the 2016 season with a shoulder injury. Bird underwent surgery on the shoulder that he originally injured in May of 2015. He was able to play through the season without any pain or complaints, but the injury flared up again recently this offseason and surgery was determined to be the best option.

Bird wasn’t expected to be with the big league club right away, as there is a logjam at first base and DH with not enough spots for too many aging players. But, with the injury history of the Yankees’ older players, such as Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran, there would probably be a spot opened up eventually just like there was last season. Bird had a strong debut in 2015, slashing .261/.343/.529 in 157 at-bats with 11 home runs and 31 RBI. But, the Yankees will not have that production this season and will have to wait until 2017 to see Bird again.

With him sidelined, it makes sense that the Yankees would dive back into the free agent market to try and find a replacement for some depth. Pedro Alvarez, formally of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is probably the best option available, but he is not someone the Yankees are interested in adding. His fielding leaves a lot to be desired, so he probably will strictly be a DH, something the Yankees do not need.

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A name to keep an eye on though is someone New York baseball fans will be familiar with; Ike Davis. Davis began his career with the crosstown rival New York Mets, playing his first four plus seasons in Queens. Davis looked like he was going to be a cornerstone for the Mets, as he is an excellent defender at first base and showed great power for the position, launching 32 home runs with 90 RBI in 2012.

But, an injury in 2013 derailed his career and he has never been the same since. In 2014 he opened the season in a platoon with Lucas Duda, but was eventually passed over and traded to the Pirates as the Mets decided that Duda was the right decision for first base. That has been the the right decision for the Mets, as Duda has provided power in the middle of their lineup and Davis has floated off into obscurity.

Davis spent 2015 with the Oakland Athletics, slashing a poor .229/.301/.350 in 239 plate appearances with only three home runs and 20 RBI. Davis has only 23 home runs and 104 RBI since his strong 2012 season, but rumor has it he is closing in on a minor league deal to try and land a spot with a major league team this spring.

According to Ken Davidoff, Davis is nearing a minor league deal with a team, and the Yankees are a team to keep an eye on.

Ike Davis is expected to sign a minor-league contract shortly. The #Yankees are in the mix.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) February 10, 2016