The Mariners and free-agent infielder Michael Chavis have agreed to a minor league contract, reports ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. He’ll in big league camp as a non-roster invitee this spring.
Now 28 years old, Chavis was the Red Sox’ first-round pick back in 2014 and was considered one of Boston’s top prospects prior to his big league debut. He got out to a hot start in his 2019 rookie showing, and while he faded a bit at season’s end, Chavis’ overall .254/.322/.444 slash and 18 home runs gave him the look of someone who’d be a long-term piece in Boston.
Instead, the late-season struggles from 2019 trickled into 2020. Chavis batted just .212/.259/.377 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, and he’s struggled to regain his footing during brief stops with the Pirates and Nationals. Overall, since that mostly productive rookie effort, Chavis owns a tepid .231/.265/.382 batting line. He’s popped 42 home runs in 1186 MLB plate appearances and shown particular power against lefties (.200 ISO), but he’ll be a depth piece and a project for the Mariners at this point.
Chavis has experience all around the diamond. He’s spent the bulk of his time at first base but also has more than 800 innings at second base, 133 innings at the hot corner and 102 innings of corner outfield work in his MLB career. He’ll give the M’s a potential righty bat off the bench, and if he doesn’t land a roster spot this spring he’ll likely open the year in Triple-A Tacoma.
The Ice Horse rides…
Chavis could make this roster with his ability to play all over the Infield. Could be a nice low cost pickup if he could remember how to hit even a little
Unless Seattle endures notable injuries, there’s almost no chance of him making Seattle’s roster. Their bench is set and Bliss is going to get an opportunity before too long. Worth noting, Seattle may end up acquiring a third baseman, which would likely push Haggerty into reserve. He still has an option.
But this is a good depth pick-up for Seattle.
I wouldn’t say “almost no chance.” Caballero was originally below Mason McCoy on the depth chart last winter. We’ve now subtracted him and Geno with Urias taking some of those PAs and Bliss perhaps getting an opportunity soon, as you mentioned. That tells me that two IF injuries could easily lead to Chavis being recalled.
Two injuries would be pretty significant! They could actually use France in a pinch at second or third (nobody should think it would be more than in a pinch) and play Raley, or even Canzone, at first.
This is very true, but what if the injury lingers longer than expected (like Moore’s to open last season) or is a result from a freak occurrence (like JP’s concussion)? Ultimately, if we lost two, I hope we look outside the organization for some help… unless Chavis is the best option.
If they get a third baseman now, they could platoon Urías with Rojas at second. They’d have Moore and Haggerty on the bench, Bliss should be just about ripe in June or July.
There would be less to worry about.
Worth noting, depth has arguably been Seattle’s biggest issue since coming out of the rebuild.
Hope I’m wrong but his hit career start coincides with the juiced ball season. Outside of that, he hasn’t shown anything. Again, I’d love to be proven wrong.
Chavis’ pull side power is absolutely legit. I’ve seen him destroy some baseballs that he’s able to turn on and square up. He’s got some warts such as breaking balls eat him up and though he’s generally passable at any position except SS and CF he’s not necessarily good defensively at any position. As a depth piece that can cover all positions except SS and CF he’s a pretty good fit on the Mariners roster as a low cost flier since they need infield help and Haniger injury insurance.
If he makea it at all its for a short platoon side role and maybe utility
Chavis will swing at anything, anywhere, at any time. Terrible plate discipline.
Chavis can do many things for a ball club. Not always well and not usually consistently, but he can do many things.
He was probably the best fielding first baseman in 2022 for the Bucs, he just wasn’t consistent enough at the plate. Unless you count striking outs
The kid plays hard. Easy guy to root for. Hope he does well in Seattle
I remember him on the RS. He had some natural talent, but he would step in the bucket trying to pull an outside curve. He’d have needed a stick-ball bat to make contact. Dalbec is similar, but at least he occasionally goes with the pitch.
This organization has not “fixed” an offensive player. Ever. Pitchers? You bet! Offensive pieces? Nope, never have.
Austin Nola, Mike Ford, Tom Murphy, Josh Reyes
I’m not sure Austin Nola is “fixed.” He’s had one, maybe two good seasons. I have no clue on the other ones (except I’ve heard Mike Ford before), but considering I haven’t heard their names, they’re probably not fantastic.
Mike Ford? No
Yep, I always like a dark horse, unless he turns on the switch he’s on the bus to Tacoma.
In the old days you called it a slider speed bat. He simply can’t catch up to a high fastball unless he cheats. He can hammer offspeed stuff though if he’s looking for it.
Guy is the best clubhouse personality. sad the Nats didn’t bring him back
You must be his father.
That’s it, Lee. Make him pay for posting something positive. That’ll teach him
Yeah, he needs to be accountable. Lol.
Other than JP and Ty, all the Mediocres have in the infield are depth pieces. And if Ty doesn’t turn his bat around that’s all he’ll be also.
Sell the team $tanton
As a fan of another team who visits Seattle fairly often and goes to games there when I can, I’d love my team to have the Mariners’ problems. A whole pitching staff and a young stud cornerstone position player locked in for the foreseeable future is a great place to build a team around.
Their not the Ray’s they will always struggle with having a complete team.
Huge bust
And when is that ever a bad thing?
I get it the M’s are going to make a pitcher out of him.
Chavis seems like a super cool guy wish for his sake he could live up to his prospect hype but that ship has sailed
Wow… And there is the “infield” piece.
I thought Michael Chavis was already in the HOF
He came back to add to his lore!
Pretty sad that the team with the most profits over the past two seasons, has to spend all their time bargain basement shopping. They aren’t even as good as they were last year.
But, they did snooker some of the fans into a reunion with Haniger. His contributions may be more off the field, than between the lines.
Bring in real bats!
Garver is nice.
1st half ‘23 Raley, sweet! 2nd half, not so much.
Other than that? No real upgrades. Less K’s, maybe. Less production, for certain.