Chris Davis talks homers, pitching, pressure and more

NEW YORK - During an expansive pregame interview Sunday where he called his season "disappointing on a number of levels," Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit on a number of topics. They included the team's home run potential, the ups and downs of the pitching staff, and the pressure that goes with signing a big contract.

In January, Davis signed the biggest contract in Orioles history when the club re-signed him to a seven-year deal worth $161 million. It pays Davis $17 million per season through 2022 and he will also receive $42 million in deferred money from 2023 through 2037.

With that whopper of a contract comes pressure from fans to produce. And when Davis has struggled this year, he's taken the brunt of some fan criticism. But he said the pressure and the criticism that comes with the contract is very fair.

"Absolutely. I think that the pressure I put on myself is really the reason that I'm where I'm at," Davis said. "I've always been very critical of myself and always expected a lot of myself. That comes with the territory when you sign a contract of that size, that's part of it.

"For me, that is why I've taken the mindset - what can I do to help us win? I know I will be here the next few years, and my goal is to go out and do everything I can to put a winning product on the field."

Over the weekend, this 2016 Orioles team became the first in team history to have three players with 30 or more homers. Mark Trumbo now has 40, Davis has 32 and Manny Machado has 31.

"I think it is pretty special," Davis said. "I think the most impressive to me is really what Pedro (Alvarez) has done. You know, the fact he has been so consistent with his power and not playing every day. That is a really tough thing to do. As a power hitter, a lot of it is rhythm and timing, so when you are not getting consistent at-bats every day, to be able to stay in there and be productive is impressive. It has been fun to be a part of."

The Orioles have lived up to their predicted preseason potential to hit a lot of homers, leading the majors with 204. But with that comes a pitching staff that Davis noted for its inconsistency in 2016.

"We knew we were going to be able to hit the ball going in," Davis said. "I think one of the advantages is we have a lot of veteran hitters, guys that have been around and been through the fire, so to speak.

"Our big question going into spring training was pitching. It has been for the past few years, and it will be until some of the younger guys get experience, until we're able to consistently field a starting rotation and we don't have to empty the bullpen all the time. That's what's frustrating as a player. You see the potential for the guys that are here. You know it's not translating, and there's not really anything you can do as a position player other than play defense and go out there and try and score as many runs as possible."

In 121 games, Davis is batting .225 with 32 homers, 72 RBIs, a .478 slugging percentage and OPS of .816. At his current pace, he would finish with 40 homers and 90 RBIs. He has hit 10 homers in August, making this his best month for home runs. I asked him if he was pleased with his production this season.

"I think, as far as my season is concerned, it has probably been disappointing on a number of levels," he said. "One is the average. But when I look at the bigger picture, I'm pretty excited about what the future holds with Manny and the way he has been swinging the bat. With Mark, the way he has picked me up. I think teams are picking their poison right now.

"And one of the biggest things for me coming into the season was what can I do to help the team win and what can I do to, you know, be a consistent role each and every day. One that on any given night has been walking four times or having a long at-bat and grinding out a pitcher. I've been really proud of the way I've kind of battled through and hung in there."