Dodgers: Three new targets now that Giancarlo Stanton is off the table
By Jason Reed
2. Khris Davis
Khris Davis will not get you a .300 batting average, not even close. However, what the slugging outfielder will get you is at least 35 home runs and 100 RBIs. He has done that the last two seasons and there are no signs of the 29-year-old’s production slowing down any time soon.
Davis has slugged a combined 85 home runs and 212 RBIs the last two season. He has been the heart and soul of an otherwise depleted Oakland Athletics lineup. Although he has hit exactly .247 in his last three seasons, Davis has a higher ceiling that could be better reached somewhere like Los Angeles.
The problem for Davis is that he has no threatening bats around him. While it may not have a massive effect, playing in an otherwise depleted roster does take a toll on your stats. Opposing pitchers can choose to not pitch to Davis, flirt with the corners, make him chase as they know the next batter will not make him pay. Pitchers cannot do that to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers have the perfect piece to intrigue the Athletics as well; catcher Yasmani Grandal. Oakland is very thin behind the plate and could use a veteran slugger to guide the young pitching staff. With Grandal, the Dodgers can give up a lesser prospect such as Jordan Sheffield.
Grandal becomes tradable this offseason with the emergence of Austin Barnes. Barnes is younger, is better behind the dish and does not have the same sturggles against left-handed pitching. Insert Khris Davis, who could play left field and bat fifth for the Dodgers and you have a much deeper offense.