| Jesse Chavez | |
|---|---|
 Chavez with theOakland Athletics in 2013 | |
| San Francisco Giants | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-08-21)August 21, 1983 (age 42) San Gabriel, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 2008, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 13, 2025, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 51–66 |
| Earned run average | 4.27 |
| Strikeouts | 1,044 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jesse David Chavez (born August 21, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher who currently serves as thebullpencoach for theSan Francisco Giants ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He playedcollege baseball atRiverside Community College, and was drafted by theTexas Rangers in the 42nd round of the2002 MLB draft. He played in MLB for thePittsburgh Pirates,Atlanta Braves,Kansas City Royals,Toronto Blue Jays,Oakland Athletics,Los Angeles Dodgers,Los Angeles Angels,Texas Rangers, andChicago Cubs. He won aWorld 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.[1]
Chavez was born inSan Gabriel, California.[2][3] A graduate ofFontana A.B. Miller High School inFontana, California,[4] Chavez later attendedRiverside 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.[5]
Chavez was originally drafted in the 39th round out of high school by theChicago Cubs, but opted to attend college instead.[6]
Chavez was later drafted by theTexas Rangers in the2002 Major League Baseball draft out ofRiverside Community College.[3] In 2006, Chavez was promoted to the Triple-AOklahoma RedHawks, where he pitched one game before being traded.
The Rangers traded Chavez to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange forKip Wells on July 31, 2006.[7][8] He was assigned to the Triple-AIndianapolis Indians where he pitched the rest of the season and all of 2007.
Chavez appeared in 51 games for the Indians in 2007, pitching to a 3.80earned run average (ERA), and was promoted to the major leagues on August 27, 2007, making his debut the same day. He made 15 appearances for Pittsburgh during his rookie campaign, but struggled to an 0-1 record and 6.60 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 15 innings of work.[9]
Chavez made 73 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates during the 2009 season, registering a 1-4 record and 4.01 ERA with 47 strikeouts across67+1⁄3 innings pitched.[10]
The Pirates traded Chavez on November 3, 2009, to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange for second basemanAkinori Iwamura.[11] On December 10, Chavez was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange forRafael Soriano.[12] Chavez made 28 appearances for Atlanta during the 2010 season, posting a 3-2 record and 5.89 ERA with 29 strikeouts across38+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On July 31, 2010, Chavez was traded to theKansas City Royals along withGregor Blanco andTim Collins in exchange forRick Ankiel andKyle Farnsworth.[13] He made 23 relief outings for the team down the stretch, logging a 2-3 record and 5.88 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 26 innings of work.[14]
Chavez made four appearances for the Royals in 2011, but struggled to a 10.57 ERA with eight strikeouts across7+2⁄3 innings pitched.[15] Chavez wasdesignated for assignment by Kansas City on October 11, 2011, following the acquisition ofAaron Laffey.[16]
On October 21, 2011, Chavez was claimed off waivers by theToronto Blue Jays.[17] He was designated for assignment on December 12 but cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.[18]
On May 27, 2012, Chavez was called up from the Triple-ALas Vegas 51s. He was 6–2 with a 3.72 ERA in 10 games with Las Vegas.[19] He was recalled on August 4.[20] On August 5, however, he was sent back down to make room for the promotion ofChad Jenkins from theNew Hampshire Fisher Cats.[21]
Chavez was traded to theOakland Athletics on August 24, 2012, in exchange for cash considerations.[22]
Chavez began the 2013 season with the Triple-ASacramento River Cats. He was recalled by Oakland on April 20,[23] and sent back to Sacramento on April 29.[24] He was recalled again on May 10.[25] On June 13, Chavez pitched 52⁄3 shutout innings of relief in an 18-inning game against theNew York Yankees, earning the win.[26] On July 31, Chavez pitched against the Blue Jays for the first time since being traded to Oakland and took the loss, yielding 3 runs in the 10th inning.
Chavez was added to Oakland's starting rotation to open the 2014 season, due to the spring injuries ofJarrod Parker andA.J. Griffin.[27] He set career highs in starts and innings pitched, and finished with an 8–8 record with a 3.45 ERA.
On January 12, 2015, Chavez and the Athletics agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.15 million, avoiding arbitration.[28] Chavez was placed in the bullpen to start the season.[29] On April 23, he was moved to the rotation and ended up making 26 starts for Oakland, a career high, pitching to a 7–15 record and a 4.18 ERA. His season ended in mid-September when he was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his ribs.[30]
On November 20, 2015, the Athletics traded Chavez to the Toronto Blue Jays forLiam Hendriks.[31] He and the Blue Jays did not come to an agreement before thesalary arbitration deadline on January 15, 2016.[32] 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.[33] Chavez entered spring training in competition for the fifth starter role withAaron Sanchez,Drew Hutchison, andGavin Floyd. On March 28, it was announced Sanchez would be the team's fifth starter, and Chavez would begin the season in the bullpen.[34] On May 17, 2016, Chavez was suspended for 3 games after he intentionally hitTexas Rangers batterPrince Fielder on May 15 after the Blue Jays and Rangers had a bench clearing brawl in the top of the 8th that resulted inRougned Odor punchingJosé Bautista after Bautista slid hard into Odor to break up a double play.[35] Chavez pitched to a 1–2 record, 4.57 ERA, and 42 strikeouts in 411⁄3 innings before being traded.[3]
On August 1, 2016, the Blue Jays traded Chavez to theLos Angeles Dodgers forMike Bolsinger.[36] He appeared in 23 games for the Dodgers, posting a 4.21 ERA with 21 strikeouts across25+2⁄3 innings of work.[37]
On November 11, 2016, Chavez signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[38] 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.
On February 23, 2018, Chavez signed a one-year, $1 million contract with theTexas Rangers.[39] In 30 relief outings for Texas, Chavez pitched to a 3-1 record and 3.51 ERA with 50 strikeouts and one save across56+1⁄3 innings pitched.[40]
On July 19, 2018, Chavez was acquired by theChicago Cubs for minor league pitcherTyler Thomas.[41][42] Chavez posted an impressive 1.15 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 32 appearances with the Cubs.
On November 30, 2018, Chavez signed a two-year contract to return to theTexas Rangers.[43] Chavez was placed on theinjured list on August 13, 2019, with elbow inflammation, which stemmed from abone spur.[44] 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.[45]
In 2020 with Texas, Chavez made 18 appearances, compiling a 6.88 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings.[3]
On February 26, 2021, Chavez signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels organization that included an invitation to spring training.[46] He was released by the Angels prior to the start of the season on March 26.[47]
On April 17, 2021, Chavez signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves organization.[48] On June 24, Chavez was selected to the active roster.[49] In 2021, he was 3–2 with a 2.14 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 30 games (4 starts) in which he pitched33+2⁄3 innings.[3] In the 2021 postseason, Chavez made 7 appearances for the Braves, including starting Game 4 of the NLCS, and did not surrender any runs.
On March 13, 2022, Chavez signed a minor league split contract with theChicago Cubs.[50][51] On April 2, the Cubs selected the Chavez's contract, adding him to their active roster.[52] In 3 games for the Cubs, he recorded a 6.35 ERA with 3 strikeouts in5+2⁄3 innings of work.
On April 20, 2022, Chavez, along with cash considerations, was traded to theAtlanta Braves forSean Newcomb.[53][54] In 46 appearances for the Braves, he accumulated a 3-3 record and 2.72 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 53 innings pitched.
On August 2, 2022, Chavez andTucker Davidson were traded from the Braves to theLos Angeles Angels forRaisel Iglesias.[55][56] During the 2022 season, Chavez set the record for most trades in a Major League Baseball career, with ten.[57] In 11 games, Chavez struggled to a 7.59 ERA with 10 strikeouts across10+2⁄3 innings of work. On August 29, Chavez was released by the Angels.[58]
On August 30, 2022, Chavez was claimed off waivers by theAtlanta Braves.[59] On November 12, Chavez re-signed with the Braves on a one-year minor league contract.[60][61] He was invited to major leaguespring training before the 2023 regular season began.[62] Chavez made the Braves'Opening Day roster and formally had his contract selected on March 30, 2023.[63] He posted a strong 1.55 ERA in 31 games before he was hit in the left leg by a comebacker off the bat ofMiguel Cabrera in a June 14 game against theDetroit Tigers.[64] He was placed on the injured list the following day with a shin contusion.[65] On July 23, Chavez was transferred to the 60-day injured list after managerBrian Snitker said he was still "weeks away" from returning.[66] On September 19, Chavez was activated from the injured list.[67]
On February 8, 2024, Chavez signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox and received an invitation to major league spring training.[68] Chavez was released by the White Sox organization on March 23 after posting an 11.57 ERA in seven innings during spring training.[69]
Chavez considered retiring after being released by the White Sox but instead re-signed with the Braves organization on another minor league contract two days after the White Sox released him.[70][71][72] On March 28, Chavez was selected to theOpening Day roster.[73] In 46 appearances out of the bullpen for Atlanta, he logged a 2-2 record and 3.13 ERA with 55 strikeouts across63+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On January 27, 2025, Chavez signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers.[74] Rangers general managerChris 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.”[70] He was released prior to the start of the season on March 21.[75]
On March 23, 2025, Chavez signed a minor league contract to return the Braves organization.[76][77] On March 31, the Braves selected Chavez's contract, adding him to their active roster.[78][79] He tossed two innings against theLos Angeles Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout. The next day, Chavez was designated for assignment.[80][81] Chavez cleared waivers and was sent outright to Gwinnett on April 3. He subsequently rejected the assignment in lieu of free agency.[82] The next day, Chavez re-signed with Atlanta on a minor league contract.[83] On April 23, the Braves selected Chavez's contract, adding him back to their active roster.[84] After tossing an inning against theArizona Diamondbacks in his only appearance, Chavez was designated for assignment again on April 27.[85] He elected free agency after clearing waivers on April 29.[86] On May 1, Atlanta re-signed Chavez to a minor league contract.[87] On July 6, the Braves added Chavez back to their active roster.[88] On July 17, Chavez was designated for assignment by the Braves for a third time on the year.[89] He elected free agency after clearing waivers on July 21.[90] On July 24, Chavez announced his retirement from baseball on the podcastFoul Territory.[91][92]
On December 5, 2025, theSan Francisco Giants hired Chavez as the team's bullpen coach under new managerTony Vitello.[93]
Chavez is married to Crystal. The couple has three daughters: Criste, Stevee, and Dannie.[94]
But one MLB player has been swapped in more deals than any other...after being dealt to the Angels on Tuesday, has been traded 10 times...
The Sox made another roster move Saturday, releasing reliever Jesse Chavez. The right-hander was in camp on a minor-league deal.
