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Baltimore Orioles’ Davis powers his way to top in AL East rankings

By Nate Wardle

Sep 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a single against Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a single against Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions infielder Greg Bird of the New York Yankees against the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions infielder Greg Bird of the New York Yankees against the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3. New York Yankees

Yankees’ first baseman – Greg Bird, Chris Carter, Tyler Austin, Rob Refsnyder, Ji-Man Choi

Before there was Gary Sanchez, there was Greg Bird getting called up by the Yankees and excelling. Then, Bird tore his labrum in his right shoulder and missed all of 2016. Now he is back, with slugger Chris Carter competing for playing time.

In 2015, Bird hit .261/.343/.529 in 178 plate appearances, hitting 11 HRs, nine 2Bs, 31 RBIs and 26 runs. His oWAR in those 46 games was 1.2, but his dWAR was -0.6. However, all reports are that he is an adequate defender, despite the sabermetric opinion.

Chris Carter brings a few things. He is durable, something the former starter at 1B for New York was not. He brings power, leading then National League in home runs in 2016. But he also brings strikeouts, leading the National League in that category as well, with 206 of them. He also is not a high average hitter, reflected by his career .218 average, and never hitting above .227.

The Yankees have a bit of a log jam with him and Matt Holliday, and both can’t DH at the same time. Carter’s defense is below average and he isn’t an excellent platoon candidate either. So, I imagine that he will likely be the DH, with Holliday starting in right field, but it is possible Carter may not be a regular starter in the lineup.

Refsnyder is the Yankees’ super utility player, and I honestly don’t know that there is room for Austin on the 25-man roster.

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