LATEST NEWS: The Yankees are advised to consider a low-risk investment in a disgruntled Giants infielder valued at $6.9 million.

The New York Yankees underwent significant changes following a disappointing 82-80 season in 2023. Despite these efforts by general manager Brian Cashman, the team’s infield depth appears to be lacking. With this in mind, should they consider claiming San Francisco Giants third baseman J.D. Davis off waivers to bolster their roster?

Scott Rogust of FanSided suggests that the Yankees, among other teams, could benefit from taking a chance on Davis. As a right-handed hitter, Davis began spring training as the Giants’ starting third baseman, but the recent acquisition of Matt Chapman has altered his role. According to a report by FanSided’s Robert Murray on March 9, Davis was placed on waivers over the weekend.

Rogust believes that bringing in Davis would immediately address the Yankees’ need for a primary backup at both third base and shortstop. He emphasizes that the Yankees have expressed a strong desire to win in the upcoming season, setting their sights on a World Series victory in 2024.

The Yankees had initially relied on Oswald Peraza as the primary backup for shortstop Anthony Volpe and third baseman DJ LeMahieu this season. However, Peraza will begin the 2024 season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain, as reported by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, sidelining him for at least two months.

Davis, who joined the Giants at the 2022 trade deadline, primarily played as the team’s third baseman. He concluded the 2022 season with a respectable .857 OPS, eight home runs, and 14 RBI in 158 plate appearances. His first full season in San Francisco was similarly solid, with a batting line of .248/.325/.413 across 144 games, including 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 69 RBI, and 61 runs scored.

GettyThe Yankees will be without Oswald Peraza for a while. Could Giants third baseman J.D. Davis help bolster New York’s infield depth.

Notably, Davis achieved these statistics while playing at Oracle Park, known as one of baseball’s most pitcher-friendly stadiums. Statcast’s ballpark factors indicate that Oracle Park ranks among the toughest venues for offense over the past three seasons, particularly in terms of home runs, with only three other MLB parks producing lower home run factors.

Oswald Peraza, anticipated to serve as the primary backup to Anthony Volpe at shortstop and DJ LeMahieu at third base for the New York Yankees this season, will unfortunately begin the 2024 season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. This setback will sideline Peraza for at least the next two months.

J.D. Davis, who primarily played as the San Francisco Giants’ third baseman after joining the team at the 2022 trade deadline, showcased promising performance towards the end of the 2022 season with a .857 OPS, eight home runs, and 14 RBI in 158 plate appearances. His first full year in San Francisco was similarly commendable, where across 144 games, he boasted a batting average of .248/.325/.413, along with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 69 RBI, and 61 runs scored.

However, Davis achieved these statistics while playing at Oracle Park, known for its pitcher-friendly environment. Statcast’s ballpark factors indicate that Oracle Park ranks among the toughest venues for offense over the past three seasons, particularly in terms of home runs, with only three other MLB parks producing lower home run factors.

A move to Yankee Stadium could significantly alter Davis’ offensive performance. While Yankee Stadium’s park factor since 2021 ranks just 21st in baseball, it’s renowned as one of the best venues for hitting home runs, with only Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles being more homer-prone.

Adding Davis to the Yankees’ infield mix would indeed provide additional depth, although not necessarily in all the areas they might need it. While Davis has some experience in left field during his MLB career, he has primarily played at third base and first base, as indicated by Baseball-Reference. Notably, he has never played shortstop in a big-league game.

Oswaldo Cabrera, who has operated in a super-utility role, could potentially fill in at shortstop, considering his natural position is shortstop, despite his struggles with offense at the highest level. Cabrera posted a .574 OPS in 330 plate appearances last season and has also faced challenges in spring training with a .043/.083/.043 triple slash in his initial nine Grapefruit League games.

Should Davis become available to the Yankees on waivers, it may not be a seamless fit. Nonetheless, with Opening Day rapidly approaching, it’s challenging to find a perfect solution in light of unexpected injuries. Manager Aaron Boone likely hopes for Volpe’s sustained health in 2024, given his consistent performance in 2023, where he appeared in 159 games.

Matt Musico, who covers Major League Baseball for Heavy.com, possesses a decade-long experience in baseball writing. He is the creator of MLB Daily Dingers and has had his work featured on various platforms including numberFire, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleacher Report, Elite Sports NY, and Yahoo! Sports.