Davis inks new contract as A’s tender deals

Ike Davis will be an Oakland Athletic for at least 2015 as the ink dries on his new deal.

Davis, 27, was acquired via trade by the A’s in late November, but was arbitration eligible. There had been uncertainty whether Oakland would tender him an offer. No longer.

The A’s also agreed to terms on a one-year deal with relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez.

Davis’ contract is believed to be worth $3.8 million, though the A’s have not released terms. With Davis inked through 2015, a new uncertainty will heat up.

Brandon Moss, one of the A’s seven all-stars from 2014, seems more likely to be traded.

Moss has been the subject of rumors since Oakland moved Josh Donaldson to Toronto, which seemed inconceivable at the time. Donaldson is arguably the best third baseman in baseball, and Moss doesn’t lag far behind.

The A’s now have a backlog of first basemen, with Moss and Davis, but also Nate Freiman, and Stephen Vogt, who also plays catcher and outfield.

Oakland has a major hole in the middle infield and may use Moss or pitcher Jeff Samardzija to strengthen that area. The free agent market is starving for second basemen or shortstop.

The A’s also offered one-year tenders to outfielders Josh Reddick, Craig Gentry and Sam Fuld, pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Jarrod Parker, Jesse Chavez, Ryan Cook and Fernando Abad, infielder Eric Sogard, third baseman Brett Lawrie, along with catcher John Jaso.

All of the aforementioned players are arbitration eligible and though tenders have been issued, each of them could decide to take their case to an arbitrator for the chance of a bigger payday.

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