Following a multitude of bullpen additions, it appeared that the Braves had opted to move on from fan favorite Jesse Chavez. That reality became official today, when he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox are in severe need of quality pitching, giving Jesse Chavez a terrific shot to make the Opening Day roster as he enters what he believes will be his final season in an incredible 17-year MLB career.
The Jesse Chavez experience in Atlanta is nearly inexplicable. The Braves signed him to a contract after the season began in 2021. A few months later, they promoted him to the majors, reportedly out of desperation after suffering with an unreliable bullpen.
We had no idea just how important he would be to the team’s first World Series appearance since 1995. He went on to appear in 30 games and have a 2.14 ERA during the regular season. In the playoffs, he was even better, appearing seven times without giving up a run. The Night Shift received a lot of attention that year, but Jesse Chavez was as essential as any Braves reliever in 2021.
Unfortunately, that was insufficient for Alex Anthopoulos to re-sign him the next season. He signed with the Cubs, and he struggled early in the season. Chicago wasn’t happy with the return on their investment, so Anthopoulos pounced at the chance to bring him back.
Again, I’m not sure what’s in the water in Atlanta, but Chavez likes it. When he returned to the Braves, he instantly resumed pitching like an excellent reliever, but Anthopoulos sent him to the Angels at the trade deadline for Raisel Iglesias.
At that time, it was impossible not to feel sympathy for Chavez. Despite the fact that all he ever did was shove on a Braves uniform, the club considered him expendable. Of course, Anthopoulos didn’t just trade him for a bag of baseballs. Iglesias has always been regarded as one of baseball’s top closers.
Fortunately, it appears that Jesse Chavez does not retain grudges. Because, after struggling with the Angels, they chose to waive him, and guess who was waiting to pick him back up? Alex Anthopoulos.
Jesse Chavez continued his great pitching for the Braves in 2022 and was off to the best start of his career in 2023, but a line drive off Miguel Cabrera’s bat brought it all to an abrupt halt. He missed the majority of the rest of the season, bringing an untimely end to his remarkable career with the Atlanta Braves.
Chavez threw like an outstanding reliever every time he toed the rubber with a tomahawk over his chest, despite having stuff that would not impress a scout across the nation. He was approaching 40 years old. I would say farewell, but based on way this tale has gone so far, would anyone be surprised if Jesse Chavez is pitching meaningful innings for the Braves six?
