Perrotto: Getting Rid of Michael Chavis Could Be Mistake (+)
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ never-ever-ending string of waiver claims can become mind-numbing.
One discard after another discard after another discard. It doesn’t engender much hope the Pirates will get better anytime soon as they close in on a second straight 100-loss season.
However, the Pirates’ latest waiver claim is intriguing. Miguel Andujar has proven to be an honest-to-goodness legitimate big league player. At 27, the slugger should also have some good seasons ahead.
Yet there is a downside to the Pirates adding Andujar, who joined the Pirates on Monday after he was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees.
The Pirates designated Michael Chavis for assignment to clear a roster spot for Andujar. That could turn out to be a mistake.
This isn’t to say Chavis was an MVP candidate this season or one of the Pirates’ very best players.
If you believe in WAR, Chavis was below replacement level at -0.4. I don’t always believe in WAR, though, especially when not everyone can agree on how to calculate the metric.
I do believe in the eye test in certain situations. Chavis passed mine during his time with the Pirates that began at last year’s trading deadline.
Yes, some of his statistics were bad. At the bottom of the list were his 136 strikeouts and 19 walks in 141 games.
However, he did hit 15 home runs in 468 plate appearances. That’s a decent figure for a right-handed hitter playing his home games at PNC Park, which caters to batters from the left side.
Chavis also popped 18 home runs in 382 plate appearances for the Boston Red Sox in 2019 as a rookie. So, the power is legit.
The Pirates could use some power. Chavis’ 14 home runs this season ranks fourth on the team behind Bryan Reynolds (26), Jack Suwinski (18), and Oneil Cruz (17).
Andujar could provide some thump. He hit 27 home runs for the Yankees in 2018, his lone full season in the major leagues, and finished second to the Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
However, Chavis also provides versatility.
While Chavis played primarily first base this season, he also logged time at second base and third base. The 27-year-old has appeared at both corner outfield spots in the big leagues.
Something else Chavis provides is energy. While personality and other intangibles are discounted by many analytics-based teams, outgoing guys like Chavis can liven things up and keep the atmosphere loose in the clubhouse.
Chavis was clearly surprised by the DFA. He politely declined comment while packing up his locker before Monday night’s game in between hugs from his suddenly former teammates.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Chavis is on an opening-day roster in the major leagues next season. In fact, it would be an upset if he wasn’t.
Chavis is a useful player, and that’s something the Pirates have in short supply. Even after all those waiver claims.