For the last two years, Rajai Davis was often the guy who set up the guy who routinely killed Indians pitching.
Davis, playing for Detroit, always seemed to be on base prior to Miguel Cabrera walking up to bat, which has normally meant destruction was soon to follow. In 11 games against the Indians last season, Davis hit .381 with three triples and six stolen bases. He got on base in nearly half his at-bats (.480 OBP) and came around to score more than half the time (24 times on, 13 runs scored).
Now, he’s switched sides and joined the Indians. He greeted fans at Tribe Fest on Saturday. Seeing him without “Detroit” etched across his jersey has been a welcome sight in Cleveland.
“Rajai Davis is a guy that — and I told him this the other day — I hated him for the last four or five years, because he’s been a thorn in our side,” said Indians manager Terry Francona at Friday’s Town Hall Meeting. “He just has created havoc when he’s played against us, and what’s nice is he can do it without playing every day.”
The Indians signed Davis to a one-year, $5.25 million deal this winter. He can play all three outfield spots but likely is primarily set for center field, especially once Michael Brantley returns.
“It’s a nice addition for us, because that’s what we envisioned with [Michael Bourn] and it didn’t necessarily work out that way,” Francona said. “But, if you can get a guy that can get on base and kind of disturb the game a little bit, that really helps a lot.”
He’s remained a productive player, but at 35 years old, there are some legitimate questions as to if Davis, who’s game is built on his speed, can still contribute at the same levels as past seasons. Indians fans will certainly raise that question after the failed experiment with Bourn, who’s two years younger than Davis.
Last year, Davis stole 18 bases in 112 games. The year prior, he stole 36. In 2012 and 2013 in Toronto, he stole 46 and 45 bases, respectively.
Davis said part of the reason he wasn’t trying to steal quite as often once in Detroit was that if you’re going to bet on yourself to take second base with Cabrera or one of the Tigers’ other sluggers up to bat, you better win that race. But, he’s set on continuing to be a menace for opposing pitchers and catchers. It’s what he does.
“I’ve never stopped running. That’s been my M.O. every year,” Davis said. “It’s my kind of game. That’s my game. That’s what I do. That’s what I make sure I stay on top of and make sure my body is healthy enough to do that. Training-wise, even during the season, it gets long, but you have to stay in tune with your body and know what you need to do to keep your quickness and your legs fresh.”
Davis said he’ll play anywhere and hit anywhere in the lineup, though he does prefer the top of the lineup, where he normally was in Detroit. Davis could fill a need there, at least early in the season. With Brantley rehabbing from shoulder surgery, the Indians could opt to move Jason Kipnis or Francisco Lindor down the order and insert Davis into the leadoff or No. 2 spots. Even once Brantley returns, Davis’ inclusion gives Francona options.
“I like to set the tone and get on base and score runs and help us,” Davis said. “I think I can be most effective at the top of the lineup.”
Francona said it’s too early to start looking at the lineup. For now, he’s just glad Davis crossed state lines and is in Cleveland.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ