The Mets already have moved J.D. Davis between 3B and LF, but if they need the 26-year-old to take up a third position into his rotation, he's open.
New York's potential decision with Davis comes on the heels of RF Michael Conforto's Grade 1 oblique strain from over the weekend Saturday.
As Conforto's status for Opening Day March 26 remains in jeopardy, Davis said that he's open to adding RF onto his resume. Any tweak is dependent on the 27-year-old Conforto's reevaluation.
"Someone asked me -- I can't remember who it was, I'm not going to say a name -- that was an idea," Davis said Wednesday after the Mets' 7-3 spring training win over the St. Louis Cardinals. "But, however, since Michael can be reevaluated here soon, I haven't really heard anything just yet. But, obviously, when talks start and -- maybe. I have no idea, but I am open to it."
Davis slashed .307/.369/.527 with 22 home runs and 57 RBI in 140 games, splitting games at LF (79) and 3B (31). With the Houston Astros from 2017-18, Davis largely spent his time at 3B, logging 55 games at the hot corner and only five in LF.
In the minors with the Astros from 2014-18, Davis mostly played 3B but dabbled at RF across various Houston affiliates. Davis added that he grew up playing the position and got reps in at Cal State Fullerton from 2013-14, although his production with the Titans mainly was as a DH over a 98-game collegiate career.
J.D. Davis expects the Mets to play in front of a crowd on Opening Day despite concerns over coronavirus:
- SNY (@SNYtv) March 11, 2020
"I'm assuming everybody's going to come, I'm not overly concerned with it unless heard from otherwise" pic.twitter.com/RaTnZrnvz2
"I actually did, I grew up playing a little bit of right and center, and then in college, I played right and then ... two years ago, I was supposed to be getting the reps out in left, I got more reps out in right, in Triple-A," Davis said.
What happens regarding Conforto, who slashed .257/.363/.494 with 33 home runs and 92 RBI in 151 games last year, remains to be seen. But if the Mets need Davis, he has RF in his background while the OF depth gives the club options with CF Brandon Nimmo and others such as Dominic Smith and Jake Marisnick.
"I wouldn't say (the position is) home," Davis said with a laugh. "But yeah, I'm not a fish out of the water."
