It’s been a rough couple of days for Doug Davis. Yesterday, we learned that Davis won’t pitch again this season. Then, Tom Haudricourt mentioned that the Brewers won’t be picking up his $6.5 million option for 2011.
This shapes up to be a disappointing end to a disappointing season for the lefty. While I don’t think there was anyone out there expecting great things from him this season, some of us did think he was a good low-risk signing that would provide some value at the bottom of the rotation. Unfortunately, he got off to a slow start (with some bad luck) before injuries derailed the rest of his season, and it never worked out.
I think it was a forgone conclusion that Davis’ option would be declined, even if he managed to stay healthy all year. $6.5 million was simply too much to pay for a player of his caliber, even if he had better luck. What stinks for Davis, though, is that his ineffectiveness and injury problems this year may make it difficult for him to find work next season.
Considering he turns 35 in just a few days, it’s possible that this is the end of the road for him. Braden Looper signed a similar deal with the Brewers before the 2009 season, and didn’t pitch this year after having his option declined at the end of that year. Considering his ineffectiveness, Davis could have a similar fate this winter.
If this is the end of the line for Double D, it hasn’t been a bad career — especially when you look at his numbers as a Brewer, considering he was claimed off the scrap heap. 4.11 ERA and 602 strikeouts in 724 innings? 7.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9? Like it or not, those numbers make him one of the better pitchers the Brewers had in the 2000s.
I certainly hope Davis is able to bounce back, but if he isn’t, he’s at least had a successful 12-year career.
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