MLB Rumors: Matt Davidson, Texas Rangers agree on minor league deal

MLB Rumors: Matt Davidson and the Texas Rangers have agreed on a minor league deal, according to Jeff Passan on Twitter. This is more interesting than your average minor league deal, since, as Passan notes, Davidson is viewed as a two-way option, being a potential pitcher as well as an infielder.

Davidson, who turns 28 in March, was a first round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009, being selected 9 picks before the Rangers took Tanner Scheppers that year. He is a righthanded hitter who can play first base and third base, but who has failed to hit enough the past couple of years to keep a regular job. He has a career .226/.295/.435 slash line in the majors, mostly with the Chicago White Sox, who acquired him for Addison Reed a few years ago.

Davidson pitched in three games last season, throwing three shutout innings (including one against the Rangers), and after the season was reported to be working seriously on trying to become a serviceable pitcher. If he can be a credible righthanded bench bat as well as a non-terrible relief pitching option, that would certain help add flexibility to the roster.

The Rangers have had James Jones and Anthony Gose, two outfielders-turned-pitchers, as potential two way options the last couple of seasons, though neither player actually made it to the majors with Texas in either role. Who knows whether Davidson can be a viable major league pitcher, but in the Rangers’ situation, its worth taking a look at him and seeing if he can really be a two-way player.