Oakland A's in 2010: Fading Gold

Life isn't fair.

That's a pretty accurate statement, right?

Well, that's certainly the case for A's third-baseman, Eric Chavez, who finds himself battling back from another surgery. 

For three straight seasons now, Eric Chavez, a six-time Gold Glove winner, has battled health issues and has had a hard time staying healthy. And with the latest surgery that ended his 2009 season, Chavez will have to take it easy as he prepares for another spring training full of hardship.

Chavez, who enters the final season of his six-year, $66 million contract, has one more (realistic) chance to salvage what's left of his career. Always a hard-worker, Chavez will definitely give it his all, but even he knows the odds are stacked up against him.

In the past three seasons with A's, Chavez's most active season came in 2007 where he appeared in only 90 games before shutting it down. In that season, he hit .240/.306/.446 with 15 homers and 46 RBI. Altogether Chavez has appeared in only 121 games in the past three seasons.

Life for Eric Chavez hasn't been easy nor has it been completely fair.

But is Chavez's life in the baseball universe over?

Despite his recent struggles, Chavez's career isn't over. He'll have to work extremely hard and cross his fingers that his back doesn't go out, but he still has a shot at salvaging his career.

In his defense, from the years 2000 to 2006, Chavez on average hit .272/.352/.494 with 28 HR and 82 RBI per season. So, regardless of whether or not he's healthy enough to play third, if he can swing a bat, consider that good news.

Call me optimistic, crazy or foolish, but I firmly believe that Eric Chavez still has something to offer to the Oakland A's in 2010.