Baltimore Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said the team offered first baseman Chris Davis a long-term contract this offseason, but the slugger seemed surprised by the claim.
“Really?” Davis said Saturday at the team’s FanFest. “Did he say anything else? Dang it. Keep me up to speed on that.
“I know they talked at the end of last year, but obviously nothing came to a head. It’s something we’re going to have to wait and see. It’s not my job to worry about that.”
Duquette, also speaking at the team’s annual FanFest, said that contract talks with last year’s home run king have not progressed much.
Davis led the major leagues with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs in 2013.
The two sides avoided salary arbitration in January by agreeing to a one-year, $10.35 million contract. Davis, 27, made $3.3 million last year and is set to be a free agent after the 2015 season.
Davis, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, said he wants a long-term deal to stay with the Orioles.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it every day — I love being in Baltimore,” he said. “This has been a place that’s really felt like a second home to me. Just thinking about Opening Day last year, it’s hard not to fall in love with this city and the fan base. The fans really understand the game of baseball, so I’d love to stay here.
“My job is to go out there and prepare to play every day for the Orioles. I’ve got plenty on my plate to worry about. That’s the reason I have (Boras), that’s the reason (Duquette) is in the position that he’s in. We’ll have to wait and see.”