Mets Predictions: J.D. Davis should and will have a long career in NYC
![JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1208560699-850x560-32e6069c137d9b6a02a951a0eedc1326.jpg)
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 27, 2019 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 4-2.(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1178244898-6042bd3a43c8586fcbedaa0ef62e0e3a.jpg)
We look toward the future and try to predict what’s in store for J.D. Davis and his future with the New York Mets.
J.D. Davis is one of the more fascinating members of the 2019 New York Mets because of where he came from. Like a Randy Orton RKO, he seemed to appear from nowhere.
When the season began, Davis looked like a depth piece we might see get some midseason action with the club if needed. He ended up making the roster out of camp and stayed with the Mets throughout the 2019 season. Although it took until the summer months for him to get significant playing time, Davis wasted little time in becoming a fan-favorite.
Moving forward with the club, the Mets will have a lot of decisions to make about Davis. Was his 2019 season a fluke? Where will they play him? How often will he get a chance to hit dingers?
I’ll try to provide some predictions to all of these questions and more as we gaze into the future. What does it hold for Davis?
Brodie Van Wagenen believes in J.D. Davis during his tenure
Brodie Van Wagenen brought Davis to town and if he has a chance, I think he’d like to keep him in New York.
The difficulty here could be BVW’s own job security. Once the Wilpons are out as the owners, there’s no telling how long Van Wagenen could stay as the general manager.
I don’t foresee an extension for Davis just yet. There are more pressing needs for the Mets with other players prepared to reach the free agent pool much sooner. Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, and Michael Conforto are three of the biggest. Ahead of him on the list of potential early extensions, we also find players like Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil.
Regardless of where he sits on this hypothetical list, I cannot imagine Van Wagenen trading one of his best acquisitions.
A permanent stay by the DH in the NL should aid in this prediction. And that leads us into my next prediction, where does Davis play?
![NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 08: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citi Field on September 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1173706531-cfefa0dea44c090cdc1a4b6f707add6e.jpg)
J.D. Davis has DH written all over him
It’s too soon to give up on Davis as a productive member of the Mets lineup as more than just a bat. However, I think he will serve this squad best as the near full-time DH beginning in 2021. It makes a lot of sense considering his defensive limitations and how the Mets wouldn’t really miss him much in the field.
Assuming the alternative would be for Davis to play left field, the Mets can easily solve this by moving Brandon Nimmo there where he’s far more comfortable. This would allow them to target a truer center fielder and let Davis slip in as their primary DH.
By no means would Davis suck up every plate appearance by the DH. If he hits, Robinson Cano may get some starts there as should Pete Alonso.
Since this is the DH we’re talking about, nearly everyone with a hot bat and less than stellar glove could see an appearance at the plate. Davis was built for the DH role and it’s what I’m predicting he’s destined for while in Flushing.
There are a few conclusions to jump to for this to be possible. The DH has to be a more permanent fixture in the NL which feels all too likely. Davis must also continue to hit and the Mets need to hold onto him. I believe strongly in both.
The whole idea of trading Davis in the first place had a lot to do with a lack of places to play him. The issue solves itself with the inevitable: pitchers will no longer hit in National League hosted games.
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 20: J.D. Davis #28 of the New York Mets runs the bases after his second inning two run home run against the Cleveland Indians at Citi Field on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frisingapple-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1169247469-063e0f6f3eef25aac5142564510ecc45.jpg)
We remember J.D. Davis for one monster season
I don’t think Davis will become one of those Mets players who has his name enshrined at the ballpark or in any history books. This doesn’t mean the time he spends calling Citi Field home will be wasted. Rather, I expect one monstrous season from him before he becomes a free agent.
What Davis did in 2019 gave a sneak preview of what he’s capable of. Whether it’s a 40+ home run season with a .300+ batting average or maybe a year where he drives in a ridiculous number of runs, I think Davis has one very memorable season in store for us sometime between now and when free agency comes calling.
I think Davis will become something of a Todd Hundley, Bernard Gilkey, or even Lance Johnson in Mets history. Those three all had outstanding offensive seasons in 1996 which remained outliers in their time with the ball club.
Davis should do something similar. With a full season to play, I hate to put any kind of limit on what he’s capable of.
I won’t predict an MVP for Davis or even an All-Star appearance. Even the latter, while far more common, is a tough feat to reach.
This shouldn’t change our perception of Davis over time. His career will not be defined by major awards. Instead, it’s one very fat statistical season highlighted in bold that I think we will see from him before it’s all over with.
The 2019 season was only the beginning of what Davis has to offer in Major League Baseball. I’ll admit, I’m a mark for him. Something about a guy who can hit for average and power while not striking out a lot catches my eye.
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It won’t take long for Davis to add to his resume and continue to hit more than just dingers.