Honestly, I think the A’s need to build their roster under assumption #1 (sunk cost) and if Chavez can play (and stay healthy) that’s gravy. If it means bumping Cust into the OF to DH Chavez, fine. If it means Barton starts in AAA, fine (assuming his stroke doesn’t come back first).

I might be biased because I can’t really imagine what a full season of productive Chavez looks like anymore, but that’s my take.

One part of your plan that needs to be discussed is whether Chavez himself would want to endure a position change at this point and whether he would forgo another surgery in order to do that. While I agree that slotting Chavvy in at 1st is a logical move for a team that wants to recoup some of its’ $66 million investment, does it make just as much sense for Chavez? I’m not so sure. If Chavez really wants to play baseball beyond the length of his current contract and into his mid-30’s then he probably wouldn’t be on-board for foregoing surgery and just “rehabbing” his obviously messed up shoulder in order to get on the field as quickly as possible for ‘09 and ‘10, after which his neglected shoulder would most definitely require career-ending surgery. So, you’re basically asking Chavez to sacrifice himself for the next two seasons at a new position for the sake of a team that will most likely not win a World Series championship.

I say that the team needs to shut him down entirely this season, allow him to concentrate 100-percent on getting healthy, allow the team to look for a replacement 3-bagger and then re-assess his situation in the off-season. If he has another surgery within the next few months and then is not close to being major league ready by April-May of next year, then I think he should be approached about possibly retiring altogether. He’s already collected tens of millions of dollars in salary from the A’s, and if it’s clear that he can never play again without severe pain, then he should do the honorable Keith Foulke-ian thing, retire and forfeit his remaining salary or at least negotiate a buy-out with the team.

He was mainly good because of his D at third. Can we please get a healthy hitter on the team.

The Chronicle is speculating too

how long could we reasonably (ethically and according to the rules) keep Barton in the minors?

I feel like Barton will develop into a major leaguer, but I also feel he’s at least a season, perhaps two, removed from it. If we could reasonably hold onto to Barton until he’s ready for prime time, I think moving Chavez to first makes sense. Otherwise, (and I hate to say this because I love E) I think the potential future that Barton represents outweighs the potential physical protection of Chavez. If we cannot reasonably keep Barton down for another year or two, then I say you play Chavez at DH or 3rd when you can and we continue to allow Barton to come of age on the main stage, and we acquire another 3rd baseman.

... is that the A’s need to invest in a long-term solution at 3rd, like, yesterday. Maybe Cardenas is that guy, but I’d like to see more prototypical power from a corner infielder.

Poor Chavez. I hope he can convert to 1st, and Daric Barton be damned (not really—I think that one day he’ll be a real boy, it’s just that his ABs are particularly wooden these days). For me, he’s on a short list of players whose ability and production will never be appreciated for what they really were, between the fact that he played in a small market and the fact that the fans in that small market seem perpetually angry that he didn’t turn out to be Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron rolled into one.

and happened upon Cal product Alan Craig (St. Louis Cardinals), who is now in AA, 24 years old, profiles as having plus power, so-so defense. Anyone have any knowledge or input on whether he’s a worthy target? At 24, he needs a fast-track to the bigs and may not get it in STL behind Glaus. Is he the “3Bman of the future” for them, or does he suck, or he is worth getting and the Cards might move him for a “win now” piece?

In AAA, the A’s seemed to have moved Chris Carter back to his original postion at 3B. Don’t know if he can stick there, but BP said he was hitting awfully well there compared to 1B or DH.

but I don’t think Chavez will “approve” a move to first. Why? Because unless Chavez feels 100%, he won’t play again … period. (And why play first if you feel able to play 3B?)
Nope, I just don’t sense a desire in him to play hurt. I think he’d rather take his money and stay at home with his family … I’m not saying he’s heartless, because he gutted it out many times for us … but I don’t think the game means that much to him.
Chavez never struck me as a guy who “needs” the game … and before you rip me for this, understand that I mean it as a compliment. Chavez likes to win - he trys to win - but it doesn’t break his heart if he doesn’t win. Again, that doesn’t make him a bad guy - in fact, you could make the case it makes him a grounded, “able to put things in perspective” guy. But not winning doesn’t bug him all that much … and not playing won’t, either. Oh, he’ll miss it. The A’s were and are a big part of his life … but he’ll be over it in about 2 weeks. Nope, Chavy is done - and he won’t lose one wink of sleep over it.

Chavy had a great run at the hot corner, and I have never been critical of his efforts with the glove. But….he has been a liabity with the bat for so long that I haven’t even missed his presence in an already meek lineup. His BA w/ RISP is a joke…even before the injury/injuries. 3B/1B/DH….He’s still a gaping hole in a lineup full of punching Judy’s.

I am also concerned with past statements expressing his doubts about being “a leader.” He’s clearly not comfortable with such a role, not only in words, but in action. I look at Chavy and see a solid glove, .240 ish hitter, with no ability to come up with a big hit in a big situation..injury or not.

(Granted, this would put him right in line with any other of our options at first, and I doubt Chavy would dive head first into a HB Apt pool….but I digress)

If only the Chronicle would hire someone who is knowledgeable, competent, and who understands what REALLY needs to be addressed now vs. then.

+1

to trade for a bat for next season. If they do that it wouldn’t surprise me to see the “new bat” play at third. I do think that there is a pretty good chance that Chavez is never coming back. Playing at first will still put wear and tear on his shoulder. If Chavvy is well enough to play then let him play the position that he has been outstanding at. Not first base.

But the A’s have invested too much money in Chavez to just eat his contract. From what I’ve read it seems that hitting doesn’t seem to be the cause of the pain, they always say it’s from throwing. If that is trued they should at least try him at 1st or DH. I know he would still have to throw but it wouldn’t be off-balance/from the knees/all the way across the diamond throws every day. He hit decently enough when he played this year. If his career is indeed done my last (not best) memory of him will be hitting a 3-run HR against Detroit on June 3rd and his opposite field bomb against Brandon Webb on Jun 17th in Arizona.

If he does retire don’t the A’s have some kind of insurance for his contract or something? I vaugely remember something about the Astros wanting Jeff Bagwell to retire so they could get some insurance money.

of Jeremy Brown coming back and playing 3B!

up on my reading. I can do some chores and get ready for today’s texas run fest.

to repair “fraying of the labrum” in his right shoulder. My hunch is that if Chavez had done this, along with the back surgery, after the 2006 season, he’d be coming back strong no later than March, 2009. “Pushing through” and putting additional wear and tear on injured body parts is just never a good move.

Not because he’s hurting for money, no. Just for the simple reason that despite what many people may think, Eric is very much a “competitor” and he is a human being with very real emotions, just like the rest of us.

Personally, I think it’s really killing him that he’s not able to contribute to the team. And if there were any way possible for him to take the “hot corner” he absolutely would.

“I miss ya Chavvy and hope you recover fully and come back to reclaim your spot at 3rd or just to be a part of A’s baseball, period.”

God bless-M-Rod

With Patterson coming up and Murton going down, is Ellis on his way out? Why else would they call up another left handed hitting guy who can pretty much only play 2B (Conrad might stand over at thid, but he sure as hell isn’t good enough to play there)?