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Once the news Rajai Davis was on the Detroit Tigers' radar late Monday night, the team moved quickly. The rumored two-year deal with the speedy 31-year-old outfielder became official Tuesday morning.
#Tigers have signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a two-year deal, per Ben Nicholson-Smith.
— James Schmehl (@jamesschmehl) December 10, 2013
Monetary terms have not be released, but the two-year contract is believed to be worth between $9-!0 million.
A part-time player for the majority of his eight big league seasons, Davis is a career .268/.316/.377 hitter. His 2013 stats were an almost identical .260/.312/.375 with six home runs, 24 RBIs and 45 stolen bases.
But his splits against left-handed pitching is why Davis should be a perfect fit as the right side of a left field platoon with Andy Dirks. Over his eight-year career, Davis rakes lefties to the tune of a .779 OPS, hitting .294/.354/.425. Davis was even better against left-handers in 2013, an impressive .319/.383/.474, for an excellent .857 OPS.
Davis' speed will be a definite plus on what has been a plodding team in the past, averaging 42 stolen bases a season during his three years with the Blue Jays. He also has experience as a center fielder, giving Davis the ability to spell Austin Jackson as needed.
Barring an unexpected move, the Tigers' 2013 outfield appears complete with Torii Hunter in right, Jackson in center, a Dirks/Davis platoon in left and Don Kelly as the fifth outfielder. Nick Castellanos also has limited experience as a left fielder. Other outfielders on the 40-man roster are youngsters Daniel Fields and Steven Moya, both expected to start 2014 in the minors.