Texas Rangers: Jesse Chavez inks two-year deal

The Texas Rangers have brought back a familiar face for the 2019 season.

Jesse Chavez and the Texas Rangers have come to an agreement on a two-year pact. Chavez struggled to find room on a 40-man roster at this time last season. However, he has turned a successful 2018 campaign into close to $8 million with Texas.

Chavez stated that he would retire if he wasn’t retained by the Chicago Cubs following last season. However, those comments were made in the heat of the moment following a Wild Card loss and should have been taken with a grain of salt. Plus, money talks and Chavez was clearly listening.

The veteran reliever put together his best season in MLB while playing for Texas and Chicago during last season. Chavez appeared in more than 60 games for just the third time during his 11 year MLB career and finished with a 2.55 earned run average split between the American and National League.

Chavez pitched 30 games for the Rangers prior to being dealt to the Cubs and the results were average, if not slightly better. He had a 3.51 earned run average with 56 1/3 innings pitched and 8.0 K/9 during his time in Texas. Although those numbers don’t jump off the page, his time in Chicago was impressive.

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The right-hander appeared in 32 games with the Cubbies and helped them reach the NL Wild Card game. He allowed just five earned runs across 39 innings giving him an impressive 1.51 earned run average. Chavez also dropped his HR/9 from 1.6 during his time in Texas to 0.7 while with the Cubs.

Chavez gives the Texas Rangers a reliable option out of the bullpen for the 2019 season. He has shown that he is an above-average relief pitcher and can get outs consistently at the Major League level. Chavez also brings a certain amount of versatility and can eat innings as a spot starter when necessary. He has 70 starts during his MLB career, including 21 during the 2017 season, and that versatility is valuable for any team.

With Texas unlikely to contend for the playoffs during the 2019 season, this acquisition could set them up to acquire more talent via trade either next season or during the 2020 season. The 35-year-old isn’t the difference maker that some Rangers fans would like to see the team sign. However, he has a solid track record in MLB and could help Texas turn the corner in their current rebuild.