Endy’s Career Outlook

by ~ June 20th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Geoff Baker:

Just got done speaking to team medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan, who went more in-depth about the extent of the injuries suffered by Endy Chavez. The left fielder tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), as well as his medial collateral ligament (MCL). He also tore some of his lateral meniscus, which acts as a protective coating to the knee itself. There were no fractures of any bones, but he does have a deep bone bruise.

*snip*

“I think the chances are good,” he said. “They’re not 100 percent. But I think the chances are good of him coming back. He’s a guy who relies on his speed. He might lose a little bit of it.”

I feel truly sorry for Endy Chavez right now.  He was having a great year.  He was getting more playing time than he has in the last few seasons, he was hitting, he was stealing bases, and he was tremendous on defense.  He’s a free agent after the season, and instead of finding a job as a starting centerfielder on a small market team or becoming a fourth outfielder on a contender, he’ll be rehabbing from an injury as bad and unlucky as you’ll find in baseball.

Will he resume his career as normal once recovered?  It’s hard to say. Endy’s game is his legs.  Without superior range in the outfield and speed on the basepaths he may have trouble finding a Major League gig.  We won’t know if he can be the same player again for over a year, but I’m really pulling for him.

This has been a terrible stretch for Mariner players.

Roles Reassigned

With Endy Chavez out for the year and Michael Saunders still developing at AAA Tacoma, there is going to be some mixing and matching until a permanent left field solution is determined.

Josh Wilson has been added to the roster in Endy’s place.  Wilson, Ronny Cedeno and Chris Woodward will probably draw straws every night to determine who is the starting second baseman, who is the fourth outfielder and who is the utility infielder.

Wlad Balentien should get most of the starts in left field.  Ken Griffey will play out there occasionally, but he’s sitting out again tonight as he continues to recover from his stint as an outfielder in San Diego, so don’t count on him being the every day guy.

Mike Carp has played some left field this season with Tacoma, but don’t expect to see him out there, especially at Safeco.

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  • moethedog

    I don’t understand the Josh Wilson deal. At all! In his best MLB season he essentially hit below the replacement level….and he doesn’t play OF. If Cedeno is out the door then Woodward is the guy to keep in his spot..but if you’re going to replace Chavez then Wilson is worthless. Redman has proven he can cream the ball at AAA, give him chance if you don’t want to hurry Saunders.

    Or let Carp play out there. I like that kid! Keep him in Seattle. I love Sweeny…but he’s done. Or bring Morse up. He’ld be as much a utility player as Wilson…and he can hit.

    Wilson…I don’t get it. 1st time all year I’ve thought they made a terrible personnel decision.

    Keith

  • Project Monkey

    Man I feel horrible for Endy. I hope he has a job next year with a full recovery. Hell I wouldn’t mind having him next year if he’s 100%. Before Ackley comes up (assuming he comes up quick), I just don’t see Balentein making up for Endy’s absence.

  • Project Monkey

    Have I mentioned that Cedeno is HORRIBLE? I wasn’t sure if I got around to expressing that.

  • micahjr

    Yuni sucks. I hope Chavez recovers and keeps almost all of his speed.

  • Brandon

    Endy was one of my favorite players this year. He was fun to watch and an absolute spark off the bench. I wish him the best in rehab.

    I will probably take some crap for saying this, but i wish we had bloomquist right about now..

  • Project Monkey

    Well no doubt Willie would be an improvement over Cedeno.

  • Mariners121212

    Call up Morse!!!

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Why????

  • Mariners121212

    I’ve always been a big fan of Morse and his bat is heating up in the minors. He might not be average in the field but I’d rather have his bat than Woodward’s.

  • Mariners121212

    Well I didn’t read your post about Morse before I made my last comment.

    Josh Wilson being in the pros is a complete joke. He is a terrible hitter with a career wOBA of .264. And it would be one thing if he were a above average fielder to offset the terrible offense. The only positon were he has been above average in UZR(really small sample sizes) is 3rd base, and you already explained why that wouldn’t be worth while.

    I realize that Morse wouldn’t be that productive in the majors but I’d much rather see him given a chance than Josh Wilson.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Yeah, I agree that Josh Wilson doesn’t really make sense. He should be a goner once Lopez comes back since Cedeno has been dubbed the 4th outfielder.