Having completed a trade for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff on Saturday, A's general manager Billy Beane acknowledged a possible new role for Eric Chavez: first base.
"Eric's a real good athlete and "... probably wouldn't have any trouble transitioning to another position," Beane said on a conference call. "We'll play it by ear, but his athleticism and versatility will be a good thing. "... The first thought is that Eric could move over to first and take some pressure off his shoulder."
Chavez has played only one inning at first base during his 11 seasons. He is a six-time Gold Glove winner at third base but has been plagued by injuries and has had two major back operations in two years,
Kouzmanoff, who was traded by San Diego along with minor league second baseman Eric Sogard for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham, entered the majors with a reputation as a shaky defender. But last season he set an NL record for third basemen with a .990 fielding percentage.
He also has averaged 19 home runs and 82 RBI in his three full seasons with the Padres despite playing at Petco Park, a notoriously unfriendly park for hitters.
"I'm just going to hit the baseball. That's what I get paid to do," Kouzmanoff said of moving to another park that historically has been difficult for hitters.
