| Raúl Chávez | |
|---|---|
| New York Mets – No. 19 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: March 18, 1973 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 30, 1996 for the Montreal Expos | |
| Career statistics (through 2009 Season) |
|
| Batting average | .231 |
| Home runs | 7 |
| Runs batted in | 65 |
| Teams | |
Raúl Alexander Chávez (born March 18, 1973 in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a member of the New York Mets organization. He bats and throws right-handed.
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Previously, Chávez played for the Montreal Expos (1996–1997), Seattle Mariners (1998), Houston Astros (2000, 2002–2005), Baltimore Orioles (2006), Pittsburgh Pirates (2008), and Toronto Blue Jays (2009). He also played in the New York Yankees minor league system in 2007.
In 2008, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He declined a minor league assignment on December 10, 2008, becoming a free agent.
On December 22, he signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not make the 25-man Jays' roster out of spring training, and was assigned to Triple A Las Vegas 51s. But an injury to Michael Barrett on April 17 sent Barrett to the disabled list, and Chavez was called up to the Blue Jays the next day to fill the roster spot. He made his 2009 debut catching Ricky Romero at Rogers Centre in Toronto on April 19, in a 1–0 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Chávez is known for his defense, specifically his exceptional arm, and is considered to call a solid game. On June 6, 2009, Chavez hit his first home run for the Toronto Blue Jays, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Kansas City Royals. On December 11, 2009, the Blue Jays declined to tender Chavez a contract, however two days later they signed him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
On January 14, 2011, the New York Mets signed Chávez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[1]