The Atlanta Braves bring back maybe the best reliever in baseball (as long as he is wearing a Braves uniform) Jesse Chavez. The Braves ink the reliever to a minor league deal with a chance to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. Given the superpowers he possesses when he is wearing a Braves uniform, you have to like his chances to be in the big leagues.
Chavez, 39, will make $1.2M if he makes the major league roster. He had a 2.72 ERA in 46 appearances for the #Braves in 2 stints in 2022, after starting season with Cubs. Traded to Angels at deadline for Raisel Iglesias, Chavez returned to ATL a month later after getting released
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 13, 2022
Jesse Chavez threw 69.1 innings in 2022 with a 3.76 ERA, 4.31 xERA, 3.39 FIP, 3.32 xFIP with a 25.3% strikeout rate and 6.8% walk rate. However, when you break it down between the three teams he played for:
- Chicago Cubs: 5.2 IP- 6.35 ERA, 5.41 FIP, 4.42 xFIP, 12.5% strikeout rate, 8.3% walk rate
- Atlanta Braves: 53 IP- 2.72 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 3.06 xFIP, 28% strikeout rate, 6.4% walk rate
- Los Angeles Angels: 10.2 IP- 7.59 ERA, 4.80 FIP, 4.03 xFIP, 20% strikeout rate, 8.0% walk rate
Whenever Jesse Chavez threw on the Atlanta Braves uniform, he found the next gear and performed well. Overall, Chavez was worth 0.7 fWAR on the season. With the Atlanta Braves, he was worth 0.9 fWAR. Pretty solid season for a middle reliever but also really emphasizes how great Chavez was when in a Braves uniform.
Got em! Jesse Chavez fans Trea Turner for the 3rd time tonight! pic.twitter.com/x0Qpkw2rEG
— Atlanta Braves Radio Network (@BravesRadioNet) June 27, 2022
After being apart of the 2021 World Champion Atlanta Braves, Chavez would sign with the Chicago Cubs. He would only appear in 3 games before being traded for Sean Newcomb, who the Braves had DFA’d in the days before. Chavez would pitch well for the Braves once again. However, he would find himself being moved to Los Angeles along with Tucker Davidson for Raisel Iglesias. After 11 tumultuous games in Los Angeles, Chavez would find himself being DFA’d by the Angels. The Braves would bring him back home to Atlanta where he would once again find himself pitching well in a Braves uniform.
Now, the Braves are making sure to have the stylish veteran around in 2023. At 39, Jesse Chavez is nearing the end of his career. A career that has seen him become the most traded player of all time. A career that includes a championship. A great career for a middle reliever.
There may not be a more popular journeyman middle-reliever in baseball history than Jesse Chavez. Glad to have you back Jesse.