Looks like Davis will be the 1B next season.

[Matt P]

Mel Antonen ‏@MelAntonen
#Orioles' #ChrisDavis tells Mid-Atlantic Sports Report that the team has told him he's going to be the regular 1B next season.#MLB

[ofahn]

Well, at least he's got the next two months to work on his defense there.

[OrangeBlackBird]

I wouldn't read too much into this yet. We still have several months to go and many unanswered questions around the league. Now that the Hamilton's and Greinke's have fallen into place, I expect to see some action on the next tier of free-agents. This could generate some trade action as well.

[Old Sneakers]

I agree with OrangeBlackBird, the team could easily send one of the younger pitchers in exchange for a 1B prospect the team believes in long term. For 2013 Chris Davis is likely to get the lions share of games at 1B but there is no long term plan here. It's not just 2013 I am thinking of its 2013 and beyond.

[ofahn]

IMO Davis has the ability to turn himself into an above average defender or better. If so, he becomes the 1B of the near future.

[Old Sneakers]

Sure. My thinking is what's the price tag in 12 months to retain him?

[ofahn]

Sure. My thinking is what's the price tag in 12 months to retain him?

Can you clarify that question?

[Old Sneakers]

Let's say defensively he's first rate. His bat plays up and he has another career year. What kind of contract is he going to command? Yes, he's under team control for a couple years yet and not a looming free agent.

If he's at least a league average 1B then fantastic. If he ends up being hurt constantly. If he isn't league average. If he forgets how to hit or whatever. What is the long term plan for the team?

[Matt P]

They could probably extend him if he has another great year offensively and also plays a good 1B to something less than Jones got. I would think maybe 4/48 or something like that might work since he still will have another year or two after next year.

Let's just hope we have that problem.

[ofahn]

Let's just hope we have that problem.

Profound words.