Rosenthal: MLB HR leader Chris Davis returns to O's on $161M deal
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a seven-year, $161 million deal to keep free-agent first baseman Chris Davis.
Source confirms: Chris Davis back to #Orioles, seven years, $161M, pending medical review. First reported: @Jonheyman.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2016
Source: Davis gets full no-trade clause from #Orioles. No opt-out in his deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2016
Davis will be 51 when he receives last payment. https://t.co/zzYaOGSLug
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2016
Davis, 29, reportedly had been weighing a seven-year deal worth more than $150 million from the Orioles since early in the offseason. That deal reportedly had been on and off the table as the Orioles considered other options.
In fact, it was reported Thursday that the Orioles had made a sizeable offer to free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
But in the end, Davis will remain with Baltimore, where he has spent the past five seasons.
Davis led the majors with 47 homers and 208 strikeouts last season, when he hit .262/.361/.562 with 117 RBI. Since the 2012 season, Davis leads the majors with 159 homers and 749 strikeouts.
As for Cespedes, it remains to be seen whether the Orioles remain interested in him or whether the deal for Davis ends that pursuit.
#Mets in same spot with Cespedes. Will not seriously engage until they know he is willing to take short term. #Orioles likely out; need SP.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2016
