Athletics Seeking Backup for Ailing Eric Chavez?

Talks reportedly taking place between the Athletics and oft-injured free agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra may tell as much about the health of third baseman Eric Chavez as Garciaparra.

Though Chavez, 31, has been fielding third base grounders, he has not been cleared to make a single throw to first base since undergoing the second of his two shoulder surgeries six months ago. It remains unclear whether the A's will need to find a backup, either a part-timer like Garciaparra, or a full-time replacement such as free agent Orlando Cabrera.

Though Chavez has been hinting that he will be ready to take the field by opening day, the fact that he has chosen to sit out the first week of spring games points toward a more uncertain outcome. Having also undergone two invasive spinal procedures, Chavez ability to play a 162-game schedule appears highly remote.

Garciaparra, 35, who moved from his familiar shortstop position to corner infield positions for the Dodgers, has had a similarly dismal health outlook after it became known that he has been kept off the field in part by a hereditary condition that causes his body to build up excessive scar tissue.

Garciaparra claims he can play, however, and in addition to the Athletics, the Phillies and Twins reportedly have expressed an interest in the former Boston Red Sox No. 1 pick.

Heyman Maneuver: Pudge, Orlando(s)

SI.com's Jon Heyman passes along a few tidbits in today's Daily Scoop:

• Catcher Ivan Rodriguez is drawing looks from the cash-strapped Astros and Marlins. Pudge's power is pretty much gone (it went with the steroids?), although is batting average remained respectable - at least until he got to the Yankees (.219 in 33 games) last year.
  
  
• The possibilities for 2B Orlando Hudson look to be the Dodgers or Nationals. But Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times earlier claimed in a column that Hudson was more interested in the Dodgers than the other way around.
  
  
• The Athletics want to sign shortstop Orlando Cabrera, but for no more than $5 million and preferably closer to $3 million.
  

White Sox Seen Parting with SS Orlando Cabrera

It might be wise to expect the White Sox to part company with 33-year-old shortstop Orlando Cabrera next season now that he is in his walk year.

Cabrera and his $9 million contract has become expendable on Chicago's South Side in part because General Manager Ken Williams and Manager Ozzie Guillen have quietly concurred that rising young second baseman Alexei Ramirez will be capable of taking over Cabrera's position next year, according to an MLB rumor quoted by Boston Globe columnist Nick Cafardo.

The White Sox also have first round pick Gordon Beckham under contract. A second baseman who can hit with power, Beckham is expected to advance quickly through the minor leagues and he and Ramirez could soon become the team's newest double-play cornerstones, Cafardo said.