After a dozen seasons with the A's, Eric Chavez is heading to the Yankees on a minor-league deal, hoping to back up New York star Alex Rodriguez at the position where Chavez has earned six Gold Gloves.
Chavez also can play first - where the Yankees have All-Star Mark Teixeira - and he can DH, a spot held by Yankees fixture Jorge Posada.
"Obviously, they've got the best third baseman in the history of the game, and they have one of the best first basemen right now," Chavez told The Chronicle by phone on Friday evening. "I'm not going in worried about playing too much (of the time)."
Chavez said that with numerous injuries the past three years, this might be a good situation if he makes the club.
"Being realistic about my injury history, I'm able to come in without expectations being too high," he said. "Hopefully I can prove that I can still be an elite player and fit in there. If I can help them out of spring, that's what I want to do."
Chavez said his deal with the Yankees came together quickly; he had heard from a number of teams this winter but had narrowed his options to New York and the Dodgers. The Yankees are expected to announce the deal Monday.
Going from Oakland to the Bronx and from Moneyball to baseball's biggest payroll, plus Florida camp for the first time, "is about the biggest change of scenery you could get," Chavez said with a chuckle.
Chavez's health continues to be good, he said, after a winter of working out at Athletes Performance in Phoenix, and he credits Dodgers hitting coach Jeff Pentland with helping find a new swing that takes pressure off his shoulder.
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Eric Chavez signs with Yankees
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