Brewers claim Davis off waivers

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

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Left-hander Doug Davis has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last four starts. Nick Doan/Icon SMI

Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis was claimed on waivers by the Brewers within the last day, sources said. The teams have until mid-day Friday to work out a trade or Davis remains with the Diamondbacks.

The Brewers were one team known to have shown interest in Davis before the July 31 trade deadline, but they couldn't work out a deal with Arizona at the time.

Davis, a free agent after the year, is a prime trade candidate. He is 7-10 with a 3.62 ERA, and while he's been a consistent starter, he doesn't impress scouts with his mid-80s fastball. His 2009 salary is $8.75 million, so any acquiring team would be responsible for close to $3 million. The Diamondbacks could also choose simply to let Davis go, as Toronto did when the White Sox claimed outfielder Alex Rios. Or they can pull him back and keep him.

The Diamondbacks have yet to put starter Jon Garland on waivers. Garland also can be a free agent at year's end but has a trickier contract than Davis. Garland makes $6.25 million salary for 2009 but has a mutual option for $10 million for 2010. If the club declines it, he gets a $2.5 million buyout, and if he declines it, he get a $1 million buyout.