Apparently the Rangers have interviewed Eric Chavez for the job in Texas. He was seen on campus according to Evan Grant. But the Rangers never confirmed why he was there.
Chavez played over 15 years in the big leagues with the A’s , Yankees and Diamondbacks. He was thought to be the front runner for the Angels job. He was already in that organization as a special assistant to GM Billy Eppler. When Brad Ausmus was instead named manager of the Halo’s, Chavez to the Rangers rumors began to swirl. Today seems to confirm some of those speculations.
For me personally, I am torn on him as a potential hire. I always liked Chavez as a player, but he doesn’t have much experience coaching similar to Rocco Baldelli. But Chavez did manage the AAA Salt Lake Bees for about a month last year. So he does rank above Baldelli for me.
Lone Star Ball suggests that hiring someone with as little experience as Chavez, would require an experienced bench coach like Wakamatsu. He held that position last year. I don’t see that happening since Wak has also interviewed for the open managers position. That would be telling him that his value isn’t running things. Especially since he was bench coach already. I expect Wakamatsu to leave if he doesn’t get the skippers gig.
I hope Eric Chavez isn’t their top choice right now. Maybe this was just a courtesy interview out of respect.
Oh well, I guess we’ll just have wait and see.
Gotta go! I should have never eaten nachos on the recliner……….. Nerd out!
Photo: Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune
