Eric Chavez?

[Pudster13]

Eric Chavez came out and said that he expects to be traded. The A's seem to be rebuilding for the future. What do you guys think?

 

-third baseman

-left handed hitter

-former gold glover

-on the right side of 30

 

If he can bounce back from injuries, I think he'd be a prefect fit for the Brew Crew.

 

How about a package of Bush or Vagas along with Mat Gamel?

 

Does anyone know the details on Chavez's current contract?

[RobertR]

Chavez has to show he's healthy before it even gets to Vargas. But, yeah a healthy Chavez is worth a good package. Maybe get Beane to throw in a catching prospect while you're at it.

 

Robert

[Klements Bratwurst]

My first thought yes, I would love Chavez, who would be available in the Billy Beane moneyball firesale. But not when you read this link from CBS Sportsline.

 

3 surgeries in one offseason is more than enough reason to shy away from Chavez. I think he would be a trade deadline candidate for some team after he shows he is healthy.

[germanking]

No thanks, if you go over to the message board from that link, it has an article saying he is owed $37 million over the next 3 years with a club option in 2011 for $12.5 million. At least Rolen has had most of his surgeries spread out over a couple of years, instead of 1 off-season.

[erbacaine04]

Those surgeries were from the result of Playing while very injured over the last 2 seasons..... I think if he is ready by Spring Training you take a chance on him.... plus billy Beane would not want Vargas..... he might take Bush or Cappy to get them very valuable using that spacious ball park and then move whoever in 2009....he would want probably 2 prospects from the 8-15 rank range for Chavez

[ILuvDaBush]

I would think it would take at least Parra for Chavez. The 8-15 range for Brew prospects isn't what it once was and a healthy Chavez would have to net them at least a good pitching prospect with no financial relief.

[endaround]

Sorry but no. Chavez has a millstone contract. He could be had for peanuts if the As want to move him right now. If they want to eat some salary and hope he's healthy they could get a better return later but he might also miss more time.

 

Keep in mind that Chavez hasn't been the same player that earned his contract. In 2004 he had an OPS of 898. In 2005 it was 794. In 2004 it was 786 and in 2007 it was 752

[twobrewers]

I would think it would take at least Parra for Chavez. The 8-15 range for Brew prospects isn't what it once was and a healthy Chavez would have to net them at least a good pitching prospect with no financial relief.

Are you talking about a healthy Chavez? Or Chavez now?

 

I think Chavez currently has negative value. With that contract, with those injuries, and with his recent history - I wouldn't take him for free.

[SmartBall]

If Beane is just eliminating salary and Mark A is willing I say why not, it isn't my money, but if we have to give anyone up, its just too risky. At least it was his left shoulder (according to the link), which is both his glove hand and the top hand on his swing, but its hard to swallow that contract on someone who is a complete uncertainty.

[Gopher74]

If Beane is just eliminating salary and Mark A is willing I say why not, it isn't my money, but if we have to give anyone up, its just too risky. At least it was his left shoulder (according to the link), which is both his glove hand and the top hand on his swing, but its hard to swallow that contract on someone who is a complete uncertainty.

Well, I think we're going to have to give up someone. His value is low, but it's not that low. He's finally gotten a couple things that have hammpered him taken care of, and he's played through a lot of pain and has still hit for power and been an exceptional 3rd basemen. That's kinda what we're looking for and that's with him playing well below expectations. I agree it's not going to take a Manny Parra+ Package to get him, but very likely some minor leaguers that Beane likes with good upside. Maybe something like Gamel, Brewer, and a filler? Again, not a ton, but it'll cost something.

 

I think he's due for a big time bounce back year, and it may be Beanes best move to hold onto him until he can prove he's healthy. However, if we wait for that, we're going to be paying much more.

 

I'd just assume we take the risk now and finish this thing off.

[And That]

Maybe something like Gamel, Brewer, and a filler? Again, not a ton, but it'll cost something.

That is a ton - that's two of our top 10 prospects. For a year of Mark Ellis at $5 million? Not a chance. For a year of Ellis, I wouldn't give up anything more than either Vargas or two more fringe guys, like Steve Sollmann and Dave Johnson. Gamel has a chance to be a special hitter in the bigs and Brewer is the best athlete in the system.

 

[Gopher74]

That is a ton - that's two of our top 10 prospects. For a year of Mark Ellis at $5 million? Not a chance. For a year of Ellis, I wouldn't give up anything more than either Vargas or two more fringe guys, like Steve Sollmann and Dave Johnson. Gamel has a chance to be a special hitter in the bigs and Brewer is the best athlete in the system.

 

For Chavez, not Ellis.

 

[And That]

Whoa, I totally thought I clicked on the Ellis thread. Caffeine has not kicked in yet. Sorry. Actually, I wouldn't offer that package right now for Chavez right now either. It's a lot to give up for a guy who may or may not be healthy. I don't think the A's would do it either.

[reillymcshane]

Chavez has a millstone contract. He could be had for peanuts if the As want to move him right now. If they want to eat some salary and hope he's healthy they could get a better return later but he might also miss more time.

I think this hits it on the head for Oakland - they have little reason to move him now - unless someone foolishly takes on all of Chavez's contract or gives them top notch prospects. No one, however, will do that. Why give up cheap, quality prospects, and/or take on $36 million in salary on a guy who's had three surgeries and seen his playint time and performance dip the past few years. The answer is that no one will (okay, someone may be stupid, but I'll guess not on this one).

For Oakland, they're far better off letting Chavez prove he's healthy, and be able to deal him for something - actual prospects and/or get a team to take on good deal of his salary. There's always the chance Chavez gets worse and/or hurt again, but Oakland isn't the kind of club to eat $20 million without a fight.

Personally, I loved watching Chavez a few years ago. Guy was amazing - power, authority, gold glove type fielding - injuries have just killed him. Even if he can rebound, stay reasonably healthy and get a .800 OPS, the A's will be able to deal him for a lot more at that time.

[TooLiveBrew]

I agree, rMcs, Oak is in prime position to hope for a healthy Chavez - who would bring a lot more mid-season or at the trd. deadline if he's proven himself healthy again. If not, they can look at the money as retro-active for what he produced when he cost peanuts.