Thursday, December 22, 2011

Orioles Sign Endy Chavez

Over the weekend, multiple sources reported that the Orioles signed OF Endy Chavez and the team confirmed the transaction in a press release on Tuesday. He inked a one year, $1.5 million deal and could earn another $500k in contract incentives. Endy is a good defensive outfielder and will likely see some playing time in left field in addition to backing up Adam Jones in center-field. The Orioles had been searching for a left-handed, defensively strong outfielder so now they can scratch that off of their shopping list for the 2012 season. He also brings some speed to the base-paths and hits more for average than power. I see Endy as a player in the Felix Pie mold, but hopefully he knows how to take a better routes on fly balls.

Photo Credit to MetsOnline blog
Based on the fact that Endy is best known around baseball for this amazing home run robbing catch of a Scott Rolen blast he made for the Mets in game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, I think he knows what he is doing out there. His throw after the catch also helped to double off Jim Edmonds and end the inning. The Mets went on to lose the game, but they wouldn't have stayed in it as long if it wasn't for Endy's defensive prowess.

Endy has spent ten seasons in the Majors, mostly for the Expos and Mets, and also played for the Royals, Nationals, Phillies, Mariners and Rangers. He spent the 2011 season with Texas and was on their post-season roster, so he at least brings a bit of playoff experience to a relatively inexperienced O's team.

As is the case with most of the players the Orioles sign, I don't have many cards of Endy's, so if you have a few extra cards of his around, please let me know and maybe we can work out a trade.

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