J.D. Davis defeats SF Giants in arbitration, to receive $6.9 million salary
The SF Giants lost their arbitration case against third baseman J.D. Davis. The Giants were unable to come to terms on a contract with the veteran slugger earlier this offseason, and so the two sides let an arbitrator decide his 2024 salary. The Giants had filed at $6.55 million while Davis had filed at $6.9 million. Since the arbitrator ruled in Davis' favor, he will receive $6.9 million.
SF Giants 3B J.D. Davis throws a ball to first base against the Padres. (2023)
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Davis, 30, was the primary third baseman for the Giants this past season. He got off to an excellent start, showcasing vastly improved defense at the hot corner alongside an OPS north of .800. However, late in the season, perhaps due to several minor injuries, Davis' offensive production took a significant step back. Nevertheless, he was a solid everyday player overall. He finished the season hitting .248/.325/.413 with 23 doubles and 18 home runs in 546 plate appearances (144 games).
Davis remains at the center of one of the best trades of Farhan Zaidi's tenure in San Francisco. Relegated to a bench role on the New York Mets, Davis was included in a four-player package that New York sent to San Francisco for Darin Ruf at the 2022 trade deadline. While Ruf would struggle mightily in New York and end up released, Davis emerged as a viable everyday player with the Giants while the trio of pitching prospects (Thomas Szapucki, Carson Seymour, and Nick Zwack) have all had some promising moments in the team's farm system.
The Giants have been consistently tied to free agent third baseman Matt Chapman (#7-ranked free agent), which would leave Davis without a clear spot in the lineup. While he could make an excellent bench bat/backup, it's easy to envision the Giants potentially moving Davis in a trade, especially if they make multiple additions this offseason and prioritize getting below the luxury tax threshold.
This marks the second time since Zaidi became the Giants president of baseball operations that the team will head to arbitration with a player. The team won an arbitration case over a $650,000 disparity with infielder Donovan Solano following the 2020 season. Solano's case was the first arbitration hearing the SF Giants had had with a player in nearly 20 years.
