The Irrational Hatred of Eric Chavez; NL Edition

So here's a look at the National League 3rd Basemen versus Eric Chavez.  I laid out my parameters and explanations in the AL edition, so I'll just jump in.  I would like to say that I am aware that the NL has some serious offensive differences, but I'll address that where necessary.

Chavez (Oak): .271 AVG; 29 HR's; 99 RBI; .839 OPS; +7 Defense; $9,500,000

National League

Chipper Jones (Atl): .304 AVG; 33 HR's; 110 RBI; .944 OPS; -9 Defense; $13,666,667
*Larry, here, is a future Hall of Famer, and one of the best switch-hitters ever.  I won't even mention his 2005 defense, even though he has consistently ranked below league average (-11 in 2003, -6 in 2004).  He's 34 and pricey.  Next.

Miguel Cabrera (Fla): .311 AVG; 20 HR's; 116 RBI; .919 OPS; +1 Defense in 27 games at 3rd in 2005; $427,000
*Cabrera is a bona fide star already at 23.  The kid produces, and would be a welcome trade opportunity, if the Marlins put him up on their periodic fire sale trading block.  Do I see it happening?  Not bloody likely.  But it is the Marlins.  So far, the only player with the possibility of being moved that is the possible better alternative to Chavez.

David Wright (NY): .306 AVG; 28 HR's; 109 RBI; .902 OPS; 0 Defense; $374,000 (2006 salary)
*23.  Huge numbers.  League average defense.  Media star.  Long-term contract with the Mets.  But it's nice to dream, isn't it?

Abraham Nunez (Phi): .243 AVG; 3 HR; 35 RBI; .631 OPS; +4 Defense; Salary unavailable

Ryan Zimmerman (Wash): .296 AVG; 19 HR; 106 RBI; .836 OPS; +3 Defense; $327,000
*Not the same producer that Wright is, but definitely a star in the making at age 22.  I'm not sure where the Nationals stand in terms of actually wanting their team to win in the near future, but if it's something they're interested in, they'll give Zimmerman the cash to stay.  Not really in the realm of possibilities for the A's.

Aramis Ramirez (Chi): .279 AVG; 30 HR's; 104 RBI; .825 OPS; -14 Defense; $11,000,000
*Over the course of the average 162 game season, the offense is fairly comparable, and the defense is atrociously disparate.  And this is a guy that people salivate over.  Throw in the salary difference?  Edge Chavez.

Reds' 3rd Basemen: Similar to the Angels' situation.  When Rich Aurilia gets that much playing time, there's something wrong the youth movement.

Morgan Ensberg (Hou): .270 AVG; 27 HR's; 84 RBI; .858 OPS; +8 Defense; $3,800,000
*Comparable numbers, big difference in salary.  The deal breaker?  Ensberg is 31.  Chavez is 28.  Stick with the kid.

Brewers' 3rd Basemen: David Bell, Jeff Cirillo, Tony Graffanino, Corey Koskie.  Average age?  34.5 years old.  `Nuff said.

Pirates' 3rd Basemen: Joe Randa is likely the best of the bunch, and he's 34.  Freddy Sanchez has decent numbers for a middle infielder, but not for a guy at either corner spot.

Scott Rolen (StL): .285 AVG; 29 HR's; 111 RBI; .890 OPS; +6 Defense (injury-shortened year in 2005); $12,456,336
*One of the best in the bigs.  And he gets paid, son.  At 31, he's probably got at least a couple left in him, despite injury problems.  Not an option for the A's, but I'd say he's the closest thing we've seen to the complete player that Chavez is.  The fact that Chavvy's in the same conversation as Rolen should come as great comfort to fans.

Diamondbacks' 3rd Basemen: Can someone tell me who played 3rd for these guys?  The fact that I don't know suggests to me that it's no one really making a name for himself.

Garret Atkins (Col): .302 AVG; 21 HR's; 107 RBI; .852 OPS; -12 Defense; $335,000
*Dude plays in Coors.  Humidor be damned, that pads the stats.

Wilson Betemit (LA): .271 AVG; 12 HR's; 43 RBI; .765 OPS; -6 Defense; $345,000
*Worse offense.  Worse defense.  Big hype because he was a Braves prospect (Dan Meyer, anyone?).  I wouldn't even be talking about this guy if he didn't hit 18 bombs this year.

Padres' 3rd Basemen: Mark Bellhorn and Geoff Blum.  Next.

Pedro Feliz (SF): .252 AVG; 20 HR's; 77 RBI; .724 OPS; +2 Defense in 66 games at 3rd in 2005; $4,000,000

The conclusion?  That there are some excellent 3rd Basemen in the NL.  And some really forgettable ones.  Overall, Rolen, Wright, Cabrera, Ensberg, Zimmerman, Ramirez, and Jones are all guys that could be game-changers.  But various factors eliminate them from desirable alternatives to my friend and yours, Eric Chavez: age (Jones, Ensberg, Rolen), defense (Jones again, Ramirez, Wright, Cabrera), and affordability (Rolen again, Jones again, Ramirez again, Wright again, Zimmerman in the near future) show that Chavvy is, indeed, the superior and reasonably paid option for the Oakland Athletics.

In the end, I know Chavez can be maddeningly inconsistent offensively.  But he's only 28 right now, and the guy still put up 22 bombs and a .786 OPS in a season where he had more injuries than World War II had casualties.

So, is there a solution?  I think there is.  I know Jay Payton had a nice little year with a .296 average and 32 doubles, coupled with above-average defense for a left fielder.  But the guy is 33.  And he's playing in a position that is ideally a power spot, and 10 homers just doesn't cut it.  Not to mention he's getting paid a million more than Milton Bradley, and is likely to get a pay raise through free agency.  What the A's need is power outfielder, which, ideally, would happen by moving Swish out there, and having Dan Johnson return to rookie form at 1st.  I'd like to think Daric Barton is the great white hope, but his power hasn't developed like everyone thought it would--and like left field, 1st is a power position.

What does this have to do with Chavvy?  The A's need another legitimate power bat in the lineup so Chavez doesn't feel like the A's will lose and 49 kittens will die if he actually sits out a game when he's dragged down with nagging injuries.  The occasional sit-down, in my mind, will greatly improve Chavez' consistency and therefore numbers.  Regardless, I hope this little endeavor, encompassing 2 diaries and necessitating that I skip both of my Tuesday classes, will convince a few out there that Chavez really is the amazing player that his boosters claim he is.