In the game of baseball, there are few constants. Teams go through ups and downs, players change teams either by their own choice or in trades, and individual performances can be very fluid. However, the one thing that has been a constant is that the Atlanta Braves and Jesse Chavez simply can not quit each other.
At least that WAS the case. It is a running joke amongst Braves fans that no matter where Chavez starts a given season, he always finds his way back to Atlanta and this is really the only place where he can excel. It is best not to question such things as there isn't much rhyme or reason to it. When Chavez is a Brave, he performs. Anywhere else, not so much.
However, the second half of last season saw all of the years on the mound seemingly catch up with Chavez. Given his comments before the season and how things ended, most just assumed that his time had come and Chavez was finally going to retire. However, the ageless wonder surprised many recently when it was revealed that he was looking to pitch yet another season in 2025.
Just days later, Chavez has a new team as the Rangers inked him to a minor league deal.
The Rangers have signed RHP Jesse Chavez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 27, 2025
If he makes the team, he would become the longest-tenured reliever in 2025, with 18 seasons under his belt.
Chavez made his MLB debut in 2008.
Braves fan favorite Jesse Chavez just signed a minor league deal with the Rangers
If we are being honest with ourselves, the odds that Chavez struggles with Texas in spring training and then ends up coming back to Atlanta on a minor league deal late in the spring are pretty good. Chavez is not a young man and like we mentioned before, he always seems to find his way back.
However, it was at least a little odd that the Braves weren't the team to give him a minor league deal in the first place. It is possible, if not likely, that Atlanta couldn't guarantee him a chance at the big leagues and they did want to string him along and deny him a better opportunity. The Rangers certainly could use some bullpen depth and, with Chavez's limited time left as a big leaguer, it could be a good opportunity for him.
Assuming Chavez hangs around past spring training, there is always the trade deadline for yet another opportunity to scoop Chavez up. If Texas is out of the playoff race or Chavez struggles a bit, don't be shocked whatsoever if the Braves strike a deal to bring Chavez home again. In a lot of ways, it would be a very fitting outcome.