My apologies for the misleading title – there are no indications Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez is a trade candidate currently. But he did tell Billy Beane that he’d waive his no-trade rights if the A’s needed to trade him to improve the team.
Chavez, who turns 30 soon, currently has a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block deals to the Blue Jays, Nationals, Rays, Mets, Twins, Brewers, Marlins, and Indians. After he finishes the 2008 season, he’ll get full no-trade protection as a 10 and 5 player. Under his current contract Chavez will make $11MM in ’08, $11MM in ’09, and $12MM in ’10. For 2011 he has a $12.5MM club option with a $3MM buyout attached.
Chavez is a tough guy, playing through a lot of pain over the years. He slumped to a career-worst .240/.306/.446 line last year. He’s already had three surgeries this offseason – both shoulders and his lower back. He had been playing with torn labrums in both shoulders. He hopes to be ready and finally healthy for the start of next season.
Susan Slusser’s above-linked article also has a quote from Chavez about how he’d welcome Barry Bonds but it would be hard to sign him now. A’s owner Lew Wolff seems to echo that sentiment.
