The new Los Angeles Angels front office is working with a former adversary, as the American League West team has hired Eric Chavez.
According to Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area, Chavez will work as a special assistant to new Angels general manager Billy Eppler.
Stiglich noted there is a built-in connection between Eppler and Chavez. The pair were together with the New York Yankees in 2011-12 when Chavez was still playing and Eppler was the team’s scouting director in 2011 before being promoted to assistant general manager under Brian Cashman in 2012.
Chavez also worked as a special assistant for the Yankees last season. At the time, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, he was a special assignment scout, and “some teams viewed him as a potential hitting coach” if he wants to do that.
Per Stiglich, Chavez was also able to do commentary on 20 games for the Oakland Athletics last year, even though he worked for the Yankees, but “it’s unknown if his new role would still allow him to continue any broadcasting.”
He knows the American League West as well as anyone, having played 13 years in Oakland from 1998-2010. He was one of the best third basemen in baseball at his peak, winning six consecutive Gold Glove awards from 2001-06 and hitting at least 25 homers in six straight seasons from 2000-05.
The Angels fell short of expectations in 2015, missing the playoffs by one game, and need to take bold chances if they hope to compete for a championship.
Chavez may not have a significant role under Eppler, but his voice clearly means something to the new general manager, and that is valuable in a pressure-filled job.
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