Will Chavez move to 1st in time?

by BashBrothers89 on Jan 18, 2006 11:53 AM PST

I was thinking about Eric Chavez's shoulder problems and also remembered that two other A's sluggers (McGwire , Giambi) started out playing 3b but because of limitations eventually moved to 1st.

I know that both of the previous sluggers didn't have even a fraction of the defensive talent that Eric Chavez has and were moved primarily because their lack of defensive skills.

I came to wonder if his shoulder problems continue and if he eventually gets shoulder surgery it would be easier for him to play first base especially if it would allow for a stud prospect to come up and replace him.

When is the earliest that this would happen? Probably 2007 most likely 2008 or 2009.

I think it makes sense in a couple of years and he would probably still be a gold glove contender and would have the benefit of not killing his shoulder after his surgery.

What does everyone think?

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Who replaces him?

Sure it could happen, but as far as I know we don't have any stud 3B prospects in the minors.

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Jan 18, 2006 12:07 PM PST reply actions

Brian Snyder doesn't count?

Ok...I was kidding.

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay.

by carp on Jan 18, 2006 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

We do, sort of

Brian Snyder. Though he lost all of last year due to injury. Still, he's a former 1st round pick and put up an OBP over .400 in his first full pro season. He's definitely still on the radar.

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 18, 2006 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

I could see

Chavez just pushing back surgery till the end of his contract, then leaving and taking his possible shoulder problems with him. I think that if it was so terrible, they'd make him have surgery. A large portion of his value is in his defense, and moving him to 1st kind of moots that.

RIP Bill King "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Jan 18, 2006 12:39 PM PST reply actions

On the contrary,

Chavez' strength is his glove, not his throwing arm. Let's face it, he is not Scott Rolen. Given his superior glove skills, he may be an even better 1B and continue to win Gold Gloves for the balance of his long career. The fact remains though, that replacing him at 3B will be tough. I was actually hoping that there was a way to get, say Troy Glaus prior to his moving to Toronto.

"Great minds (or complete idiots) think alike." - Nico

by bvank on Jan 19, 2006 8:13 AM PST up reply actions

Shoulder

This is why he needs to get his shoulder fixed. If they repair his shoulder, this won't even be an issue. Besides, he's only going to be 27 this season. He's not moving to 1B until 2011+. Plus, how many throws does a 3B make per game? Maybe 5 throws?

I don't see it being a problem, unless the shoulder flares up mid-season. Then, you have to look at making Chavvy a full-time DH or an occasional 1B.

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Jan 18, 2006 12:42 PM PST reply actions

Number of throws

In game throws have probably done very little damage, it's the number of throws that he makes in practice, between innings and such.

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Jan 18, 2006 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

Why?

Huge portions of Chavvy's value are in his defensive performance, and his offensive performance at a premium defensive position. Move him to first, and his value instantly plummets.

Plus, there's his offensive regression/stagnancy over the last couple of seasons. If Chavvy's offensive performance has already peaked, then he'll end up being a below-average offensive first baseman by the time he moves.

Maybe, ultimately, yes, Chavvy will end up at first -- but I sure as heck hope it's not in an A's uni.

(Hm. Wait. That last sentence seems to be advocating a naked Chavez at first base for Oakland, doesn't it?)

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 18, 2006 12:43 PM PST reply actions

Nothing wrong with naked Monkeys...

...but Chavez as Lady Godiva would keep heads talking.
Chavez has always thought of himself as a shortstop, so I doubt that he would ever concede moving to 1st base.
If his shoulder worsens, he'll have surgery. We'll know by the end of this season (hopefully not sooner).
Protection in the lineup is the key for him being successful. This year he'll be up to our expectations.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 18, 2006 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

If Chavy is going to

play naked, he'd damn well better have protection.

by Nico on Jan 18, 2006 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

Aren't they all playing naked this year?

You know, in the vernacular of the clubhouse.

And you thought the ass comments were ubiquitous before...

Costly Seat Downgrade

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 18, 2006 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe this was what Giambi meant ...

when he talked about "hitting sexy"

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 19, 2006 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

so, if we sign Thomas ...

... and Chavvy plays naked, Thomas would be hitting in front of Chavvy to protect him?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Jan 19, 2006 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, but doesn't Thomas hit...

from the Right side?
I don't know, I think they're all exposed, except for the naked monkeys, of course.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jan 19, 2006 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

The best protection

Would be Bradley, Swisher, & Kielty batting around Chavez since they swing both ways.

by guapobob on Jan 19, 2006 12:58 PM PST up reply actions

This information

would probably be enough to inspire Chavy to keep his clothes on. Or possibly even wear "The Club" over his jockstrap.

by Nico on Jan 19, 2006 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

Well the shortstop sure hopes not ...

but Kenny Macha sure appreciates Chavvy busting his butt down the line.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Jan 18, 2006 1:52 PM PST reply actions

actually

this fits perfectly with my next "Oversea Ball" diary. There is a power-hitting (30 hr in 2005, 44 in 2004) gold glover in the NPB, Akinori Iwamura , he is 25 and wants to come to the MLB soon (next season, the Yakult Swallows are letting him leave via posting).

Iwamura vs. Redman last year.

This is interesting because someone mentioned that the A's have no legitimate propects at 3B in their farm system, so he could be a good option.

Having Chavez at 1st would probably improve his batting numbers drastically.

I'll do a diary on him next, well, if anyone is interested.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Jan 18, 2006 4:08 PM PST reply actions

Sure

Oversea ball is a great read

"Try getting drunk 4 nights a week and going out to pitch 9 innings. That's an athlete to me." - David Cone

by JLaff on Jan 18, 2006 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

Hitting vs Redman

Doesnt count.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 18, 2006 6:14 PM PST up reply actions

why was

Redman in Japan? I don't remember the A's playing in Japan in '04. I do remember the Yanks and D-Rays though.

"At this point I bleed Green & Gold,"- Lew Wolff

by BashBrothers89 on Jan 18, 2006 4:33 PM PST reply actions

it was in the post season

'all star' tour. Redman was the only Athletic, I believe.

Kendall Haiku by FormerHuntsvilleStar, " Ball in hand, a leap,--- a veteran catcher blocks--- and secures a win"

by Athletics fan and runner on Jan 18, 2006 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

that tour must be the most under-publicized event

coverage of that thing is more elusive than Keyser Soze.

by kvn on Jan 18, 2006 5:19 PM PST up reply actions

yeah seriously

i didnt hear a single thing about that tour.

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Jan 18, 2006 5:52 PM PST up reply actions

Seriously?

Papi hit a home run that was talked about on radio and TV for a long time...Supposedly just a crazy bomb.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 18, 2006 6:15 PM PST up reply actions

there was a fair amount of coverage.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/japan_series/y2004/index.jsp

Kendall Haiku by FormerHuntsvilleStar, " Ball in hand, a leap,--- a veteran catcher blocks--- and secures a win"

by Athletics fan and runner on Feb 2, 2006 7:45 AM PST up reply actions

Here is the wrap up

of Redman's game.

MLB loses two straight.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Jan 18, 2006 8:28 PM PST up reply actions

also should be noted

this is the game where Matsuzaka threw his complete game.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Jan 18, 2006 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

Nice reference

Loved that movie

by easyraider on Jan 18, 2006 5:24 PM PST reply actions

poof

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005.

by ak_A on Jan 18, 2006 5:32 PM PST up reply actions

Chavez

will eventually move over to 1st but probably not til 2009 at the earliest, the A's would need to draft a 3b and he would have to be amazing enough to push Chavez over.

"Who wouldn't look great wearing Green and Gold?"- Ray Fosse

by OakAs33 on Jan 18, 2006 7:21 PM PST reply actions

Chavvy at 1st

He would be assured of many many more gold gloves throughout his career if he moves there...

by OaktownTribesman on Jan 18, 2006 7:28 PM PST reply actions

Surgery is no sure thing

McGwire's defensive stats at third base for the 24 games he played there during his first two seasons with the A's weren't great (.827 fld pct), but his move to first base had probably more to do with the fact that the A's had a gentleman named Carney Lansford at that position. Giambi stunk at whatever position he played. If you recall, they tried him in left field, too.

I agree with the other folks here that Chavez' value takes a big dive if they have to move him to first base. Lots of guys can play first base sufficiently well. There are very few who can play the hot corner like Chavez.

As far as the surgery goes, no surgery is a sure thing. There's even a chance it would do more harm than good. Rehab without surgery can be more effective. One has to look no further than Mark Ellis' comeback last year after a torn labrum in his shoulder without having surgery to see how successful it can be.

"The bigger the game, the better he pitched."

by Catfish27 on Jan 18, 2006 8:57 PM PST reply actions