Jesse David Chavez (born August 21, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball at Riverside Community College, and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 42nd round of the 2002 MLB draft. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs. He won a World Series in 2021 with the Braves.
Chavez is the most traded player in MLB history, having been traded eleven times over the course of his career.
Amateur career
Chavez was born in San Gabriel, California.
A graduate of Fontana A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, California,
Chavez later attended Riverside Community College, where he spent two seasons. During his freshman season at Riverside, Chavez went 13–2 with a 1.96 ERA and 11–5 with a 1.93 ERA for his sophomore season.
Professional career
Chavez was originally drafted in the 39th round out of high school by the
Chicago Cubs, but opted to attend college instead.
Draft and minor leagues
Chavez was later drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Riverside Community College.
In 2006, Chavez was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, where he pitched one game before being traded.
The Rangers traded Chavez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Kip Wells on July 31, 2006.
Chavez appeared in 51 games for the Indians in 2007, pitching to a 3.80 earned run average (ERA), and was promoted to the majors on August 27, making his debut the same day. He had a 4.48 ERA in 82 innings pitched for the Pirates from 2008 to 2009.
The Pirates traded Chavez on November 3, 2009, to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for second baseman Akinori Iwamura.
Atlanta Braves
On December 10, 2009, Chavez was traded again, to the
Atlanta Braves for
Rafael Soriano.
He had a 5.89 ERA in 36 innings pitched for the Braves in 2010.
Kansas City Royals
On July 31, 2010, Chavez was traded to the Kansas City Royals along with
Gregor Blanco and Tim Collins for
Rick Ankiel and
Kyle Farnsworth.
He had a 6.95 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched for the Royals from 2010 to 2011. Chavez was designated for assignment by Kansas City on October 11, 2011.
Toronto Blue Jays
On October 21, 2011, Chavez was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.
He was designated for assignment on December 12 but cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.
On May 27, 2012, Chavez was called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. He was 6–2 with a 3.72 ERA in 10 games with Las Vegas.
Oakland Athletics
Chavez was traded to the Oakland Athletics on August 24, 2012, in exchange for cash considerations.
Chavez began the 2013 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. He was recalled by Oakland on April 20,
Chavez was added to Oakland's starting rotation to open the 2014 season, due to the spring injuries of Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin.
On January 12, 2015, Chavez and the Athletics agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.15 million, avoiding arbitration.
Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)
On November 20, 2015, the Athletics traded Chavez to the Blue Jays for
Liam Hendriks.
He and the Blue Jays did not come to an agreement before the salary arbitration deadline on January 15, 2016.
Chavez was seeking $4 million, while the Blue Jays countered at $3.6 million. On February 6, it was announced Chavez had won his arbitration case.
Chavez entered spring training in competition for the fifth starter role with Aaron Sanchez, Drew Hutchison, and
Gavin Floyd. On March 28, it was announced Sanchez would be the team's fifth starter, and Chavez would begin the season in the bullpen.
On May 17, 2016, Chavez was suspended for 3 games after he intentionally hit Texas Rangers batter
Prince Fielder on May 15 after the Blue Jays and Rangers had a bench clearing brawl in the top of the 8th that resulted in
Rougned Odor punching José Bautista after Bautista slid hard into Odor to break up a double play.
Chavez pitched to a 1–2 record, 4.57 ERA, and 42 strikeouts in 41 innings before being traded.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On August 1, 2016, the Blue Jays traded Chavez to the Los Angeles Dodgers for
Mike Bolsinger.
He appeared in 23 games for the Dodgers, posting a 4.21 ERA with 21 strikeouts across innings of work.
Los Angeles Angels
On November 11, 2016, Chavez signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Chavez was chosen to start in the Angels rotation at the beginning of the season due to the bevy of injuries. Chavez made 21 starts, going 5–9 with a 5.24 ERA before being put in the bullpen after the All-Star Break. Chavez finished the season 7–11 in 38 games, 21 starts.
Texas Rangers
On February 23, 2018, Chavez signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers.
Chicago Cubs
On July 19, 2018, Chavez was acquired by the
Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Tyler Thomas.
Chavez posted an impressive 1.15 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 32 appearances with the Cubs.
Texas Rangers (second stint)
On November 30, 2018, Chavez signed a two-year contract to return to the Texas Rangers.
Chavez was placed on the
injured list on August 13, 2019, with elbow inflammation, which stemmed from a
exostosis.
He finished the 2019 season going 3–5 with a 4.85 ERA in 78 innings. Chavez underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow on September 9.
In 2020 with Texas, Chavez made 18 appearances, compiling a 6.88 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings.
Atlanta Braves (second stint)
On February 26, 2021, Chavez signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization that included an invitation to spring training.
He was released by the Angels prior to the start of the season on March 26.
On April 17, 2021, Chavez signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.
Chicago Cubs (second stint)
On March 13, 2022, Chavez signed a minor league split contract with the
Chicago Cubs.
On April 2, the Cubs selected the Chavez's contract, adding him to their active roster.
In 3 games for the Cubs, he recorded a 6.35 ERA with 3 strikeouts in innings of work.
Atlanta Braves (third stint)
On April 20, 2022, Chavez, along with cash considerations, was traded to the
Atlanta Braves for
Sean Newcomb.
In 46 appearances for the Braves, he accumulated a 3-3 record and 2.72 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 53 innings pitched.
Los Angeles Angels (second stint)
On August 2, 2022, Chavez and
Tucker Davidson were traded from the Braves to the Los Angeles Angels for
Raisel Iglesias.
During the 2022 season, Chavez set the record for most trades in a Major League Baseball career, with ten.
In 11 games, Chavez struggled to a 7.59 ERA with 10 strikeouts across innings of work. On August 29, Chavez was released by the Angels.
Atlanta Braves (fourth stint)
On August 30, 2022, Chavez was claimed off waivers by the
Atlanta Braves.
On November 12, 2022, Chavez re-signed with the Braves on a one-year minor league contract.
Chicago White Sox
On February 8, 2024, Chavez signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and received an invitation to major league spring training.
Chavez was released by the White Sox organization on March 23 after posting an 11.57 ERA in seven innings during spring training.
Atlanta Braves (fifth stint)
Chavez considered retiring during the 2024 spring training but re-signed with the Braves organization on another minor league contract two days after the White Sox released him.
On March 28, Chavez was selected to the
Opening Day roster.
In 46 appearances out of the bullpen for Atlanta, he logged a 2-2 record and 3.13 ERA with 55 strikeouts across innings pitched.
Texas Rangers (third stint)
On January 27, 2025, Chavez signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
Rangers general manager Chris Young noted Chavez's skill set and longevity, saying “His record speaks for itself. He attacks the strike zone. He’s not afraid, he knows his stuff and how it plays. He’s very smart, is able to read swings.”
[ He was released prior to the start of the season on March 21.]
Atlanta Braves (sixth stint)
On March 23, Chavez signed a minor league contract to return the Braves organization.
Personal life
Chavez is married to Crystal. The couple has three daughters: Criste, Stevee, and Dannie.
External links
