Chris Davis, a key piece to the Orioles' resurgence and one of the franchise's most adored players, was noticeably absent from Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center.
When the offseason began, the Orioles promised their fans that they'd make a legitimate play to retain the free-agent slugger, who has the most homers in the majors since 2012. And the club made good on its pledge, making Davis a reported seven-year, $150 million offer. But the Orioles left this week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., unable to complete a deal with Davis' agent, Scott Boras.
On Saturday, as an estimated 11,500 filled the Convention Center for the Orioles' annual offseason fan event, the club's message was clear: While the Orioles still want to retain Davis, they are prepared to move on without him.