Expectations Lowered, Eric Chavez Readies for Comeback in New Role

Eric Chavez may end up being the highest paid utility player in the majors.

Which would be just fine with him. Beats being on the disabled list.

Chavez -- remember him? -- is getting ready to go into spring training in an unfamiliar role. After six years as one of the elite two-way players in the game, followed by three years as a virtual non-entity dealing with one injury after another, Chavez and the A's are looking for something in the middle.

"I don't have to be the star guy," said Chavez, who will make $12 million in the final year of his $66 million deal. "I don't have to be playing 155 games like I used to. Being healthy and enjoying myself is at the top of that list. If it means moving to first, or if I can't bend over and I have to move to the outfield, that's an option."

For the first time since Chavez started having back and shoulder troubles, the A's are not even hoping that Chavez can return to his role as the everyday third baseman. They acquired Kevin Kouzmanoff and handed him the job. If Chavez can come back this year, he'll play some third, first, shortstop or even outfield, along with whatever time he can squeeze in at DH with Jack Cust.

Chavez said he's ready to bring a few different gloves to spring training.

"I'm going to be prepared for anything," he said. "I'm going to try to keep my back healthy and then in spring training gauge where I'm really at. Once I start doing baseball activity every single day, it'll be a different story. We'll see what happens."

After five surgeries -- two on his back, two on his right shoulder and one on his left shoulder -- Chavez knows better than to be too optimistic. He knows that as good as he feels now, it means nothing. Last year he got to spring training and proclaimed himself ready to go. The entire spring the A's were confident that he'd be their third baseman.

He lasted all of eight games, after managing just 23 in 2008 and 90 in 2007.

"I just want to be able to enjoy it," he said. "The last three years have not been very enjoyable for me. I'm going to be optimistic. Whatever comes my way, I'm going to handle it. Just feeling healthy, feeling good, enjoying myself playing baseball again is something I'm really looking forward to."

Chavez is also looking forward to the new challenge of teaching himself a new position. So far he said he has done no work at first base, but he'll will give it a shot over the next few weeks.

"It'll be easy for him," manager Bob Geren said. "He's a six-time Gold Glover. Just get a few balls in the dirt. Get his footwork down."

As for his hitting, Chavez said he doesn't anticipate a problem. Even though he's barely played for three years, he said he's still the same guy who hit 25 homers five years in a row and drove in 100 in four out of five seasons.

"The ability and hand-eye coordination are definitely there," he said. "I just need my shoulder to hold up. Even with some back issues, if I can get that shoulder healthy and strong, I know for a fact I can be productive."

Chavez describes his own production as "icing on the cake" for an A's team that right now is sorely lacking in pop. They have only one player, Jack Cust, who has hit more than 25 homers in a season. Kouzmanoff, who hit 23 in 2008, is the only other player who's ever hit 20.

And if it doesn't work? If Chavez isn't healthy?

The A's, who have already prepared for getting nothing out of Chavez, are ready to move on, and so is Chavez.

"This is it," he said. "If I have back issues in spring training or if my shoulder is hurting, if I don't make it through this year, you won't see me on the field ever again."