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2007 A third-string catcher, Raul Chavez is the kind of `just in case` guy who doesn`t help at the plate, but behind it is an improvement on just about anybody but the Gold Glove winners. He`ll try to move up to second-string with the Yankees. 2006 There`s absolutely nothing to recommend Chavez for a major league roster over literally dozens of guys bouncing around the minors--well, almost nothing. Roy Oswalt likes throwing to him, which means he draws an MLB paycheck and pension rather than selling insurance. Not that there`s anything wrong with selling insurance, other than that there`s no such thing as an `Insurance Annie.` 2005 Chavez didn't hit enough to force the Astros into addressing the Ausmus problem, and spent the year as a virtually empty roster spot. His presence is less about not exploiting the free-talent market than it is the organization's obsession with catch-and-throw guys. 2001 That Raul Chavez has gotten cups of coffee with three different teams in the last four years despite a complete lack of offense in the minors is testament to his formidable defensive reputation. That he has yet to play in more than 14 major-league games in a season suggests that there’s only room for one Mike Matheny in baseball. Chavez is a reasonable insurance policy as a Triple-A catcher, nothing more. 2000 A good defensive backstop, he got contact lenses last winter and had his best offensive season in years. If he ponies up a few more bucks and undergoes laser surgery, maybe he'll hook on somewhere as a backup. 1999 Hits like a great defender. One of many possibilities for the job Wilson's caddy. 1998 A catcher who hits this bad better be a damn good defensive player. As usual, his defensive reputation grows the more his offensive contributions tumble. His entire career depends on how much he impresses management with his abilities behind the plate. 1997 Chavez was acquired along with Dave Veres in the Sean Berry deal. Pay close attention, folks: it’s not every day that you see a team trade for a backup catcher. A defensive specialist, but you knew that, right? If he didn’t have a good defensive reputation, he probably would never have been signed. 1996 Chavez was thrown into the Berry deal, but with Tim Laker out for the year, the Expos may be thinking of using him as Fletcher's backup. For their sake, I hope not.
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