2018 has been the year of early trades in baseball. We’re still 11 days away from the non-waiver trade deadline, yet Manny Machado, Brad Hand, Kelvin Herrera and Alex Colome have already been traded.
Now the Cubs have gotten in on the fun.
Source: #Cubs get Jesse Chavez from #Rangers for a minor-league pitcher (do not yet know name).
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 20, 2018
The #Cubs tonight acquired RHP Jesse Chavez from the Texas Rangers for minor league LHP Tyler Thomas. pic.twitter.com/wEYDm0cfvq
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 20, 2018
The move came out of nowhere, but with Brandon Morrow on the DL and all four of Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr, Pedro Strop, and Justin Wilson throwing tonight with a double header on Saturday and no off days until next Monday, the Cubs could certainly use an extra arm.
The 34-year-old Chavez, a free agent at season’s end, has exactly what the Cubs need right now: a rubber arm. He’s thrown 56.1 innings in just 30 games.
He’s put up respectable numbers this season, currently boasting a 3.51 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and 8 Ks per 9 innings, but things get even better when you dig a little deeper.
Jesse Chavez at home: 28 IP, 5.14 ERA, 5.04 FIP, .372 wOBA allowed.
Jesse Chavez on the road: 28 1/3: 1.91 ERA, 3.60 FIP, .263 wOBA allowed.
Pitching in Arlington sucks. So maybe there's something to these numbers.
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) July 20, 2018
Underrated grab by the Cubs. Out of 128 relievers with 80 IP since the beginning of last season, only eight have a better K/BB ratio than Jesse Chavez. https://t.co/sBZ0ZMo7pD
— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) July 20, 2018
The Cubs are likely to make another move or two before July comes to an end. For now, it’s exciting to see them acting quickly to improve the club
