Seemingly firmly in contending mode, the A's are clearly looking to bolster their first base and designated hitter options. The recent signing of righty DH/1B Butler is obviously so far their biggest move with that in mind, but lefty-swinging Davis can also help. He's a solid reclamation project here for Oakland and, if Davis can rediscover the swing that popped 32 homers for the Mets in 2012, this is a coup. At the least, Davis gives Oakland more options and platoon possibilities. To make room for Davis the A's designated outfielder Andrew Brown for assignment.

Moving up from signing bonus slot No. 86 to No. 27 gives the Pirates more money to sign international players. Specifically, it gives Pittsburgh roughly $270,000 more to offer to the international players they're looking to ink. That's not much in return for a player with Davis's talent, but they additionally save salary money here by moving him. Plus, Davis didn't really fit in with Pittsburgh after the team decided to move fellow lefty slugger Alvarez to first base (with Harrison taking over at third).

For Oakland this deal further muddles the first base/DH situation fantasy-wise: Vogt (who also plays catcher and outfield) is in the mix to start at first base, and behemoth sluggers Freiman and Blanks remain on the radar too. The sizable contract the A's gave Butler suggests he's a lock to start everyday at either DH or 1B, so Davis's arrival more likely affects Vogt, Freiman and Blanks. They'll sort it out in spring training, but it's a nice depth move for Oakland (if not an appealing one fantasy-wise). For the Pirates, this move probably guarantees everyday at-bats for the streaky Alvarez in Pittsburgh, just as much as it further entrenches Harrison at the hot corner.