Comments on: Eric Chavez is healthy (for now) and has secured a spot on the Yankees’ bench

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:18:05 +0000

Oops. Math. Should be 38.5 games/year over the past 4 years.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:17:02 +0000

I’m glad nobody has done the “if he stays healthy all year…” thing with this Chavez post. Just as a reminder to fans, Chavez has appeared in 154 games total in the last 4 years, averaging 43.5 games/year over that period.

Over/under says May 15th. Anybody for the over?

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:07:51 +0000

My fanhood of Eric Chavez and comeback stories in general are at war with my team’s rivalry with his team.

I don’t mind it when the Yankees sign someone I don’t like, but it’s frustrating when I’ve had to stop rooting for certain players. A partial recent list: Sabathia, Abreu, Swisher, Johnson (Nick and Randy), Vazquez, Brown. Glad they didn’t get Lee.

Anyone else have similar experiences with players acquired by division rivals of your favorite team?

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:02:18 +0000

If the Yankees had a promising young corner infielder, which they don’t (unless you count Montero), then he’d be blocked by A-Rod and Tex, not a backup corner infielder.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:08:12 +0000

Generally veterans handle bench roles much better than rookies. This way Vasquez continues to mature, get playing time, and hone his skills. When the Yanks realize they are going to have to part with some of their young talent to procure legitimate starters, either Vasquez is part of the package, or more likely Montero is, which opens the door for Vasquez, especially if this is Posada’s final year in Pinstripes.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:01:36 +0000

Rather, why they WERE NOT Yankees at a certain time.

By: bigharold

bigharold — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:01:07 +0000

So was Nick Johnson.

This has Nick Johnson part two written all over it. Should have went with farm hands. Chavez just in the way of young talent.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:00:38 +0000

Yeah, at this point we’re lesing, not buying. However, there’s also a specific story as to why they were Yankees at a certain time, mostly lack of need, which is entirely happenstance. Kind of a 3-D world out there in baseball land.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:56:35 +0000

I’m rooting for Prior too. Anything to keep THE FAT TOAD off the mound.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:55:26 +0000

My friend, Vazquez had a great spring. The problem for him was/is that he is strictly a backup 1st baseman. Chavez can man both 1st and 3rd. Vazquez now heads back to the minors and waits to be called upon which I have no doubt will happen at some point this summer. Regardless of who the Yankees picked they both played very, very well.

By: trevorb06

trevorb06 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:55:18 +0000

On a side note, isn’t it funny how the Yankees have all these players that they probably wish they had 5-10 years ago? Colon, Millwood, Garcia, Prior, Chavez. These were some damn good ball players in their healthy days.

By: trevorb06

trevorb06 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:49:41 +0000

I’d totally love to see Chavez have a great season as a part-time player and staying healthy all season! He was always one of my favorites. Who knows, if he can pull that off he might be a starter next year for Astros, Orioles, Pirates or Royals on a one year deal. Now if Prior can make the big league club as a reliever and stay healthy that’ll be incredible too!

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:46:06 +0000

Jorge Vazquez has had an equally strong performance so far, and is ready if (for now) comes about.

By: mightymike1250

mightymike1250 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:45:13 +0000

I’m happy for Chavez. He seems to be one of the truly good guys of baseball who has just had more than his share of bad luck in recent years. And, of course, it won’t hurt the Yankees to have someone of his caliber coming off the bench.