Walk it off, big guy. Courtesy of Getty Images
(The following is being syndicated from An A-Blog for A-Rod)
I mean real deep. This time last month he was reportedly “leaning heavily” toward retirement after another season affected by injuries. And then just a few days ago, there was talk from his agent that was now not so sure about his retirement intentions and that he would “deeply consider” a return to the Yankees if they were interested. While these statements from Chavez open up a possible line of discussions related to just how spiritual he is with all this deep thinking and which Tool album Chavez prefers, they also raise a more relevant one relating to whether or not the Yankees should consider bringing Chavez back in 2012 if he truly still wants to play.
After quickly becoming one of the best third baseman in the AL early in the 2000s and enjoying a string of success from ’01-’06 that included 6 straight Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger Award in 2002, Chavez’s health began to betray him in 2007 and he has never been the same player since. He was basically a scrap heap addition by the Yankees before the 2011 season, following the “cheap diamond in the rough” approach they took to signing and to help fill their roster needs. There was some buzz generated when Chavez hit well in Spring Training and looked much smoother at the plate and in the field than he had in years thanks to his back finally being healthy. But the injury bug hit him again in May when he went down with a broken bone in his foot that he suffered running the bases, and Chavez struggled through the rest of the season after missing 2+ months.
A quick glance at Chavez’s stats from 2011 leaves little to be excited about. He only played 58 games and only had 175 plate appearances in those games. His .263/.320/.356 line shows that Chavez can still work a count and put some swings on the ball at age 33, but that he has very little power and speed left in his bat to do much damage. Of his 42 hits on the year, only 10 went for extra bases and only 2 of those for home runs, good for a .094 ISO and a .294 wOBA. Those values are among the lowest of Chavez’s career, keeping up with the downward trend he’s experienced over the past few seasons, and they speak to Chavez being nothing more than a bench-type player nowadays.
That being said, Chavez still managed to produce positive WAR, albeit just 0.6, in his limited action in 2011, thanks mainly to him still registering as an above-average defensive player and a solid baserunner (broken foot excluded). And considering that Chavez being out of action led to more time at third base for Eduardo Nunez in 2011 after A-Rod got hurt, and exposed us all to the maddening experience that is watching Eduardo Nunez play the field, his solid defense should be a check in the “Pros” box for Eric. The Yankees seem interested in teaching Nunez to play the outfield as a way to get him more playing time in 2012, which leaves the need for a backup at the hot corner intact. Are we all sure that can handle that responsibility or step in and contribute for extended periods of time if A-Rod goes down again? And are we sure we want to leave the backup 1B role in the hands of Laird or (gulp) Jesus next year if something happens to Teixeira?
Between Nunez and Laird, the Yankees likely have their 2 backup IF spots covered for 2012. The injuries and the lack of power make Chavez a very risky play with little potential for reward. But, the injury Chavez suffered last year was not related to the back problems that ended his time as an above-average player, and if his foot injury didn’t happen, who knows what Chavez could have produced as A-Rod’s replacement last season. If Chavez is serious about playing next year, takes enough time away from trolling the Radiohead fan message boards to talk about how introspective their new album is to stay in game shape, and is willing to accept another Minor League invite to camp in 2012, then I’d be open to bringing him back.
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I can understand possibly wanting to go another direction but “very risky”? He only cost $1.5 million last year. Even with his foot injury and lack of power, he generated a little surplus value. How risky would it be to bring him back on a guaranteed deal at the same salary or a small raise? Yu Darvish and CJ Wilson are risky. Eric Chavez is not.
I’m not going to lose any sleep if he doesn’t come back but are there a lot of better options out there? Do people really believe that much in Laird?
Fair point on the “very risky” line. That was probably a bit overboard. But he is risky in the sense that any team that does sign him has to have a contingency plan to cover themselves if Chavez goes down, and ideally you don’t want to have to have contingency plans for a bench player.
And I share your feelings about not losing any sleep if he isn’t back, which is why I wrote the post in the first place. I know between what I have seen from Nunez in the field and what I haven’t seen from Laird, I’m not exactly sold on them being able to hold down the fort.
Don’t have any opinion on the dollars and cents part of his value for the team, but as a straight up fan, man I love watching him play third, guy is slick. I wouldn’t want anyone else covering a bunt with the game on the line.
Not a huge fan of Laird. He seems to have an awful lot of holes in his swing, and he seems to stick in my mind as more of a AAAA player. Don’t see anything wrong with bringing back Chavez, if he does get injured you have Laird in Scranton anyway. Might as well see what the vet can offer. Of course this is all assuming Jerry Hairston Jr doesn’t want to come to the Yankees as a back up infielder, and right handed bat for the outfield.
Now you’re talking my language. Jerry Hairston would be ideal for the bench. All things considered, he’d be an upgrade over Chavez at 3rd and over Dickerson, Golson, or whoever from Triple-A as a backup OF.
I’m a HUGE Hairston Jr fan! I thought he was a big part of the Yankees 09 stretch run, and a really undervalued trade by Cashman. He’s a jack of all trades and master of none, which as you point out is perfect for this team.
I just wonder if he will get a starting gig somewhere else? If the Yankees signed him they could no doubt get him a lot of ABs, what with Arod, Jeter, and maybe even Swish taking DH days. Though that does take the DH spot away from Montero. Either way no real harm in seeing if he’d like to come back to the team he won his only ring on.