Cleveland Indians: The likelihood of seeing Rajai Davis make the roster

Rajai Davis etched his name in Cleveland Indians history with his legendary home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Now he will try to make the team’s 2018 Opening Day roster.

The Cleveland Indians sent shock waves through their fanbase Saturday by making one minor league deal. That deal was for 37-year-old outfielder Rajai Davis.

To the naked eye this signing is just another name fans would glance at on the bottom ticker on MLB Network. But to Indians fans, Davis will forever be immortalized. Two years ago Davis tied Game 7 of the World Series with a two-run drive off Aroldis Chapman.

Unfortunately, the Indians would end up losing that game. Life goes on and now after a year in Oakland and Boston, Rajai Davis is back with the Tribe. His chances of making the 40-man roster may be slim, but they are worth discussing.

The Indians have a cluttered outfield to say the least. Bradley Zimmer, Michael Brantley, and Lonnie Chisenhall all project to be in the outfield on Opening Day. But that still leaves room on the bench for Davis.

Other outfielders include Brandon Guyer, Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, Greg Allen and Melvin Upton Jr. Not one of those names is guaranteed a spot on the final roster. In fact any of those spots is up for grabs.

Guyer had offseason wrist surgery leaving his Opening Day status uncertain. Naquin spent 80 games in Triple-A Columbus last year and will have to fight to get back to the majors. Upton Jr. missed most of 2017 due to right arm injuries but he is still a good bat to have, especially against lefties. Rajai will likely have to outduel one of these guys to earn a 40-man roster spot.

Rajai had a down year from his 2016 campaign where he led the AL in stolen bases, but adding him back to the roster will still improve the Tribe’s stolen base numbers. With Brantley’s health ever in question, Davis will always have a shot to start in the outfield.

Unfortunately for Davis, sentimental value doesn’t earn you a roster spot. But his array of talents should be enough to project him to the majors at some point in the season if not by Opening Day.

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This is game a game in which everyone wants to play, and Davis will have to work hard to play again in the city where he became a legend.