The White Sox announced that veteran reliever Jesse Chavez has been released. Chavez inked a minor league deal last month, but as per his status as an XX(B) free agent, the White Sox had until yesterday to add Chavez to the Opening Day roster or else the right-hander could opt out.
Kevin Pillar and Mike Moustakas were in similar situations prior to being released yesterday, and as with Chavez, it isn’t clear if any of these players actually triggered their opt-outs or if the White Sox simply released them since none were slated for the 26-man roster. The result is effectively the same, as Chavez now re-enters the free agent market as he looks to extend his career into a 17th Major League season.
Chavez is still pitching well beyond his 40th birthday, as he posted a 1.56 ERA over 34 2/3 innings with the Braves in 2023. The righty’s 51.7% grounder rate combined with some good batted-ball luck (.273 BABIP) to help deliver that outstanding ERA, yet Chavez’s 27.1% strikeout rate and 33.3% hard-hit ball rate were also above average. It wasn’t all positive for Chavez, however, as he spent over three months on the injured list after he was hit in the leg with a comebacker.
Chavez said in an interview last month that 2024 is “probably” going to be his last season as a player, as he will then look to stay in the game in a coaching capacity. Given how well Chavez has pitched in each of the last three seasons, it seems almost a lock that another team will sign him to another minor league deal, and another return to the Braves would certainly seem like a possibility. Chavez has already had four separate stints with Atlanta, including three in the last three years alone and a World Series ring as part of the Braves’ 2021 championship team.
You know what to do Braves…
Heck yes! Now we can get Chavez and Pillar back! Hahaha
Would love that, not sure why they didn’t resign him and Pillar anyways….is there any room for either however?
I thought Pillar was actually awful last year minus a few clutch hits, I’m not surprised we didn’t bring him back given he’d just opt out (Duvy for the same price of 3m is a steal in comparison)
Chavez I was more surprised is not in Jackson Stephens’ spot in the bullpen already.
Pillar didn’t really bat that much and had several key hits. Plus his defense is great. Having 3 Center Fielders in the OF is not too shabby…..although I guess Kelenic defense is similar I hear, I could only find one or two ST games on TV so I can’t say either way.
It’s a fair point, but I think it was a .248 obp last year which just doesn’t play, especially as his main role was a LF short side platoon rather than purely defensive OF. Could definitely see his plus points, just thought as a fanbase we overrated his contribution and it was right to say goodbye.
I second this. The combo of Duvey and Kelenic is so much better than Pillar and Eddie
Multiple stints with 5 different teams. Is that a record?
That’s like being rescued from a sinking ship or more accurately a garbage scow
He will go back to ATL and have a 2.50 ERA.
You almost have to write down each separate team if trying to count on Baseball Reference. He’s bounced back and forth so many times and so many stints on same teams.
Crazy that his career earnings only $24M considering how many years he’s been around.
I remember him debuting with the Pirates, and absolutely nothing about his performance there suggested that he would last this long or be this solid for most of that time. Well done Jesse and I hope he can keep it going.
I was surprised seeing that he started in PIT. When I hear his name I think OAK. I suppose that could be from facing Tigers in playoffs which would stand out more looking vack for me.
The last guy in the Braves bullpen butt cheeks just clinched up
hahaha yep!….good analogy except that I immediately had a visual of that lol
There goes their second-best player per MLB the show.
Robert is an 89 OVR
Chavez a 74
The Braves have room on the 40-man, and they have as good a chance as any team to lure Jesse, if they want him.
Lets see an old Blue Jay Fest in Atlanta! Pillar, Chavez ah heck grab Aaron Loup!
Just a random fact but Chavez has been traded for Kip Wells, Akinori Iwamura, Rafael Soriano, Rich Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth, Liam Hendriks, and Sean Newcomb in his career.
Thank god he looked like a batting practice machine this Spring.
Better to give those innings to a young pitcher to break them in to a future rotation.
It’s because he wasn’t with braves, had he been he wouldn’t have allowed a single run on 3 hits and 1 walk in 12 2/3 innings this spring. He’s just got some kind of braves voodoo instilled in him.
Let’s get the band back together again!
He’s never pitched for the Cardinals, but he does meet the minimum age requirement so that could be an option for him.
Dudes a warrior thought Joe Maddon would have burned out his arm with Cubs
Braves have room on their 40 man roster, but not on their 26 man roster. Hopefully Jesse will take a minor league deal with the Braves and pitch at AAA Gwinnett until needed,
With the Sox’ BP in shambles, I’m pretty surprised at this. Thought of him as a lock based on his experience and track record.
Well Hello Atlanta!
Come on Mozeliak, pick up the phone.
Come back to Oakland! We miss you, Jesse!
If he’s done he still had one helluva career and earned himself a full MLB pension.