Cubs News: Jesse Chavez signs $8 million contract with AL team |
Jesse Chavez is headed back to Texas.
The former Cubs reliever has agreed to a reported two-year contract worth $8 million with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. During his short stint with the Cubs, he had an impressive 1.15 ERA with 42 strikeouts, 4 saves, and a 0.79 WHIP in 39 innings. Reportedly, after the Cubs lost to the Rockies in the Wild-Card game, he said the following to his teammates in the locker room: "If I'm not wearing this next year (Cubs shirt), I'm done." It appears that that statement wasn't true as he now has 8 million reasons to be in Texas. The 35-year old did excellent with the Cubs and now will be handsomely paid by receiving a two-year deal from the Rangers. At his age, the Cubs must have felt that his better days are behind him like they felt about not aggressively re-signing Jake Arrieta. The right-hander has spent all or part of 11 seasons in the majors with seven different clubs. For his career, he has a mediocre 4.55 ERA with 747 strikeouts and 1.35 WHIP. The Cubs now turn to other bullpen options during free agency to sure up this positional need for the 2019 season. Jesse Chavez is an awfully interesting guy with how pitchers are going to be used in 2019. He can start. He can pitch the ninth. He may wind up as a 100- to 120-inning fireman-type that new manager Chris Woodward and pitching coach Julio Rangel deploy in high-leverage situations. Jesse Chavez was a great dude to deal with in his brief time with Cubs and I totally get why fans gravitated toward him so much. Always a smile on his face, very friendly/open. Could've been a great fit in 2019 Cubs bullpen, but can't blame a guy for taking the $$$.
