The Rangers announced that they’ve released veteran relievers Jesse Chavez and Hunter Strickland from minor league contracts. Both pitchers are again free agents.
As MLBTR’s Steve Adams wrote yesterday, Chavez and Strickland are among at least three dozen players around the league with upcoming opt-out opportunities. The Rangers presumably expected both to trigger their out clauses and weren’t willing to carry them in the MLB bullpen. Neither player showed much in camp. Chavez gave up seven runs over 6 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits while issuing four walks. Strickland just signed last Wednesday. He was only able to make two appearances and gave up three runs while recording four outs.
Strickland, 36, spent last season with the Angels, where he managed decent numbers in middle relief. He posted a 3.31 ERA across 73 1/3 innings, picking up 12 holds and a save. A below-average 19.4% strikeout rate is the primary reason he nevertheless needed to settle for a minor league deal.
Chavez is trying to get to the big leagues for the 18th straight year. The 41-year-old swingman has bounced around the league but only appeared in the majors with Atlanta over the last two seasons. He turned in a productive 3.13 ERA over 63 1/3 frames as a long man last year. Chavez struck out 20.8% of opponents against a 7.2% walk rate.
Braves, you know what to do.
Come home, Jesse
The Orioles will be absolutely all over this.
As much as I love Jesse, it may be time for him to retire.
Don’t let Brian Snitker see this!
If so, they will be playing Checkers
this Weekend! Braves Minor League Deal incoming! They can’t help themselves!
Realistically, he should retire!
Strikland to the giants. Dodgers need batting practice home runs.
Wife used to call him homer boy.
You’re both not wrong.
SFG says no thanks.
Death and taxes, Braves and Jesse Chavez.
Good. Rangers save money and keep their options open to grab better, cheaper pitchers later—ones that other teams might overlook.
Chavez will go back to ATL and finish the season with a 2.45 ERA. I’ve seen this movie many times.
Jesse signing in 1,2,3. Snicker licking his chops.
Chavez would be a solid pickup for most teams
Propane sales will slump
Not to mention propane accessories.
Time for grillstravaganza then
Braves on line 1
Does this mean David Robertson is coming back to Texas?
Strickland will get picked up by someone and pitch better than Jose Suarez.
@kellin. He could be picked up by the angels. They could use a righty. Although I’m fine with Johnson and perdomo. While saying adios to quijada and saurez.
He could, but they won’t. Why they’re so in love with Suarez and Quijada is a mystery.
End of the line for Chavez, or one last hurrah in Atlanta?
Probably Chavez’s strange career is finally over, though I suppose no one will be surprised if the Braves sign him tomorrow.
Why am I thinking of the song bring him home (colm Wilkinson)! Strickland might be a solid add as well. He put up numbers similar to Lopez.
Hunter Strickland is an angry me-first man child
While I doubt he needs the money, $24+M career earnings, Jesse would probably make an excellent player/coach in the minors until completely transitioning into MLB coaching.
Both were very effective last season. BR has Jesse retired. Chris Getz probably calling their agents now…
Chavez did the same thing last year, only with the White Sox instead of the Rangers. Signs a deal so he can get some spring training work, looks lousy, gets cut, next thing you know he’s in the Braves bullpen and does well.