The Baltimore Orioles are holding firm on their 7-year, $154 million offer to Chris Davis, according to a report.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported the news about the O’s negotiations with the free agent slugger.
Last heard, orioles were holding at 154/7 for Davis, but angelos wasn't OKing full-bore pursuit of gordon/cespedes/upton yet
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2016
It was reported in early December that the Orioles offered Davis a contract in the $150 million range, but a few days later GM Dan Duquette said the team had taken the offer off the table. Perhaps the Orioles were growing tired of waiting to hear from Davis before moving forward and were trying to pressure him to make a decision.
The latest information suggests Baltimore is willing to wait until Davis makes a decision, even if that means foregoing a pursuit of other prominent free agents like Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes, and Justin Upton, as Heyman mentioned.
Davis, whose agent is Scott Boras, was said to be seeking a $200 million contract, but this deal from the Orioles may be the best one he gets. The 29-year-old smashed 47 home runs in 2015 while striking out 208 times. In 2013, he crushed 53 home runs and posted a 1.004 OPS. In between he batted .194 in 2014, which is probably what gives him a limited free agency market and high-risk acquisition for some.
