2022 Los Angeles Angels Player Reviews: Jesse Chavez

A trade deadline move that sent Raisel Iglesias and his entire contract to the Atlanta Braves also brought veteran pitcher Jesse Chavez back to the Los Angeles Angels.

Chavez last pitched for the Angels in 2017, and after a few stops with the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and the Braves, he wound up in Southern California for the third time in as many years. The 39-year-old posted a collective 2.72 ERA prior to the trade which made him an interesting piece for manager Phil Nevin and his depleted bullpen.

However, sending a star closer in Iglesias for relatively nothing wasn’t meant to garner a big haul in return, considering the money involved. Chavez made his Angels debut on Aug. 4, tossing a shutout inning against the Oakland Athletics.

Chavez wasn’t spectacular, or bad, but he was who he is at this stage of his career, average, with a hint of high volatility. He lasted just 10.2 innings in an Angels uniform, carrying a 7.59 ERA before the club released him on Aug. 29.

His ERA was inflated because of a few blow-up outings of three and five earned runs, including one appearance in which he allowed four runs to score with just one being charged to him.

Chavez’s season came full circle after the Braves claimed him off waivers a day later, bringing him back to their active roster.

Chavez finished the regular season with a 3.76 ERA in 69.1 innings, including 74 strikeouts.

Jesse Chavez 2022 highlight

His best performance of the season came with the Braves on April 23 when he notched five punchouts over two innings pitched, allowing just two hits against the Miami Marlins.

2023 outlook

The Braves signed Chavez to a Minor League contract on Nov. 12 and assigned him to the Gwinnett Stripers, locking him in for the 2023 season, the 16th of his career.

Although he may be among the elder statesmen in Major League Baseball, in the correct conditions, Chavez can be a serviceable arm and can eat up innings when needed.

He should continue to serve as a depth bullpen arm for the Braves, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t have another stint at the Major League level.