Report: Chris Davis not top priority for Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have been linked to free agent Chris Davis some time, but signing the 29-year-old first baseman isn't the top priority for general manager John Mozeliak, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Less than two weeks ago, Jon Morosi of CBS Sports reported that the Cardinals had discussions with Davis' agent, Scott Boras, but Crasnick cited a source Monday who said their reported interest in the former All-Star is overblown.

Though it remains unclear which teams are vying for his services, Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the team will be "competitive" in trying to retain Davis, who rejected the club's $15.8-million qualifying offer. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, however, Davis could command a deal worth $150 million-$175 million, a figure the Orioles would not be comfortable with.

The Cardinals could use an upgrade at first base, though, after watching their contingent of first basemen hit just .236/.309/.384 while producing 0.1 wins above replacement in 2015. Matt Adams is tentatively poised to be the club's everyday first baseman this season, but the 27-year-old hit just .240/.280/.377 (77 OPS+) in 60 games and missed most of the season with a quadriceps injury.

Davis, meanwhile, led the majors with 47 homers, managing a .923 OPS despite striking out in 31 percent of his plate appearances. Over the last three seasons, no player has hit more home runs than Davis, who has also seen time at third base and right field in recent years.