MVN - Most Valuable Network

A’s place Thomas on DL; activate 3B Chavez

Oakland Athletics

Reinstated 3B Eric Chavez from the 60-day disabled list; Placed DH Frank Thomas on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 28 with right quadriceps tendinitis; Designated OF Jeff Fiorentino for assignment.

TG Analysis

Losing Thomas (strained quad) is a rather sizable blow for the A’s. Since being unceremoniously dumped by the Blue Jays (J.P. Riccardi’s financial commitment to Thomas for 2 years: $18.2M; Billy Beane: roughly $3.4M with reached ‘06 incentives), Thomas has batted a more typical .319/.417/.516 with 4 home runs in 91 PA for the A’s. Oakland has been excellent on the run prevention side of things (2nd in the majors in rotation ERA; 8th in WXRL, a measure of bullpen effectiveness), but the A’s bats have been just moderately effective (17th in runs scored; 25th in team SLG%).

Whether Chavez (expected to rotate between DH and 3B initially) is capable of providing an offensive spark is an open question at this point. Not all that long ago, Chavez looked like a perennial MVP candidate, a plus defender with a patient and powerful bat. As a 26 year-old in 2004, Chavez posted a .276/.397/.501 line with 29 home runs and +10 Fielding Runs Above Average. Following that promising campaign, the A’s opened up the pocket book and inked Chavez to a 6-year, $66M contract that signified that the lefty-hitter with the slick glove was a franchise cornerstone.

Things have not gone near as smoothly since the ink dried on that contract. Chavez has dealt with numerous injuries that have sapped his power: over the past 3 seasons, he has hit a disappointing .253/.331/.451. Even Chavez’s trademark D appeared to suffer in ‘07 (-2 FRAA). Now 30, Chavez underwent three different surgical procedures during the offseason, one on each shoulder and a major procedure to repair a bulging disk in his back. The A’s are on the hook for a combined $34M between 2008-2010. A chance at superstardom is in the rearview mirror; mere health and adequacy would be a step in the right direction at this point.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 4:34 pm and is filed under Frank Thomas, Eric Chavez, Athletics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.