Orioles sign Chris Davis to seven-year, $161 million contract

The Baltimore Orioles have re-signed first baseman Chris Davis to a seven-year, $161 million contract. The first baseman, who has occasionally played in the corner outfield and at third base over the past couple of years, has been one of the game's top power hitters. He hit 47 home runs in 2015 and led Major League Baseball, and his 159 home runs since 2012 lead the league, as well.

In isolation, Chris Davis has absolutely nothing to do with the Mets, a team with the very good Lucas Duda at first base and under control for the next couple of seasons. But as of yesterday, the Orioles were the team with seemingly the best offer on the table for Yoenis Cespedes. The outfielder was reportedly deciding between accepting a five-year, $90 million offer from Baltimore and seeking a shorter-term deal with the Mets.

The Post's Kevin Kernan reported yesterday that the Mets would be willing to give Cespedes a three-year deal for about $60 million. If the outfielder wanted a one-year deal so he could hit free agency again next winter, Kernan writes, the Mets would be open to that, too.

Davis signing with the Orioles clearly doesn't guarantee that Cespedes re-signs with the Mets. But if the signing takes the Orioles out of the market for Cespedes, it would at least increase the odds.