SF Giants place power-hitting corner infielder on waivers

Following the Matt Chapman signing, the SF Giants hinted that they still had a move or two to make before the end of camp. One of those moves was going to involve J.D. Davis. The outcome of that move is imminent as Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Giants have placed Davis on waivers.

SF Giants place power-hitting corner infielder on waivers

Unfortunately, there just was not any spot for Davis on the roster following the Chapman move. Chapman supplants Davis at the hot corner, whereas the Giants have coverage at Davis' next-best position, first base, with LaMonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores.

It has been an extremely frustrating offseason for Davis. First, he and the Giants were unable to come to terms on a salary for 2024, resulting in both parties going to arbitration. The third-party arbiter did vote in Davis' favor, meaning that he was set to earn $6.9 million for the 2024 season. Going to arbitration is never a preferred option even if Davis benefitted from it.

Second, the Giants signed Chapman to a one-year deal with player options for 2025 and 2026. This move confirmed that Davis' time with San Francisco was coming to an end. Now, being placed on waivers could have a major impact on his 2024 salary.

If the seven-year veteran is claimed by another team, then that team is on the hook for his $6.9 million salary. The other alternative is that he clears waivers and is released. Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that this would mean that his 2024 salary is not guaranteed. The Giants would be on the hook for a pro-rated amount.

Davis is a solid role player and his $6.9 million salary would be a good value move for just about any team in baseball. You never know how this will play out as teams have a relatively set payroll by the time spring training rolls around. Oftentimes, they are not keen on adding payroll at this point because it could limit their flexibility when the trade deadline approaches.

At the end of the day, Davis will find a home for this upcoming season. He is coming off of a solid 2023 campaign in which he registered a .248/.325/.413 line (103 OPS+) with 18 home runs, 69 RBI, and 61 runs in 480 plate appearances. The veteran infielder was previously known as a bat-first player, but he did record +5 Outs Above Average (OAA) at third base last season. Davis' Giants tenure comes to an unceremonious end, but he should have no problem landing with a team for 2024.