Is Chavez hurt ?

Since his performance in 2006 Mets fans have debated whether Endy Chavez could be an everyday player. Those who are against the idea site his frail appearance and dipping batting average with regular use. In my opinion, Chavez is perfect as a reserve outfielder, he has speed to be a pinch runner, an excellent defensive replacement and a very good bat when not over exposed. But Chavez does break down, just as he was playing regularly for an injured Alou he came up lame with a hamstring injury. Chavez was very slow to recover and only played in 72 games last year. Chavez was playing winter ball when he left a game with a loosely translated leg injury which was reported at the time by Mets Prospect Hub. Chavez has not returned to winter ball and it's unclear whether that's simply off-season rest or due to the injury.

Even though I don't foresee Chavez as a starter I do believe he has a critical role on the team. In fact the Mets could have lost first place much sooner in the season if the Phillies or Braves had gone on a hot streak. Chavez is described as a spark plug and a late inning energizer (rem. the squeeze bunt), the team seemed to go into a funk right around the time Chavez went down.

If Chavez is nursing a second hamstring injury, the Angel Pagan trade makes even more sense especially if Gomez is going to be traded. I wonder if Chavez's status will have any impact on the availability of Gomez in a trade for a pitcher. The Mets have allowed all of their journeyman AAAA outfielders with major league experience to walk. Gone are Hermanson, Ambres, Matos, Johnson, Ledee, and Milledge. Hopefully, Omar will sign a few guys to minor league contracts with major league experience because we saw last year how fast outfielders can go down......

Hat tip to Mets Prospectus