The 2021 season was not kind to J.D. Davis. After an offseason of trade rumors, he spent large chunks of the season on the injured list, and the team fired his beloved hitting coach Chili Davis. When healthy, his defense was still spotty at best at third base, and he lost playing time to Jonathan Villar, who the Mets seemed to trust to man the hot corner.
There is still some question as to whether or not Davis was ever fully healthy last season. Shortly after the season ended, he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand and his future with the team was very much in doubt.