Jesse Chavez, 2018 Cubs Twitter Superhero, is reportedly off the market.
Sources: Right-hander Jesse Chavez and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a two-year deal in the $8 million range. @Feinsand had the sides close on a deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 27, 2018
Chavez was a fan favorite in every sense of the term, thanks in large part to the 1.15 ERA he posted in 39 innings. Also, the dude pitched with sunglasses on during night games, it was awesome.
But at the end of the day, the Cubs didn’t feel like the 35-year-old was worth the relatively cheap investment. Maybe they were scared of another Brian Duensing situation. Maybe they want to leave a roster open for the Iowa shuttle like they did last season. Maybe if they’re planning on offering a multi-year contract to a reliever this offseason, they have a higher profile name in mind.
Whatever the Cubs reasoning is, and it’s probably a combination of multiple factors, Chavez isn’t coming back. If he’s not coming back, will any other Cub free agents be returning?
That answer is increasingly looking like it will be no, for the same reasons Jesse Chavez wasn’t brought back.
Outside of Daniel Murphy, who’s more qualified for an AARP membership than an infielders mitt, all of the 2018 Cubs that are currently free agents are relievers. Not a single one of them was as productive as Chavez was last season.
While Jaime Garcia, Jorge de la Rosa and Justin Wilson all pitched well down the stretch for the Cubs, and would fill the Cubs reported desire to add a left-handed arm to the pen, Wilson is the only one of that trio with high leverage caliber stuff. As far as Wilson is concerned, his command issues have been well documented over his 1.5 year Cubs tenure. Both the Cubs and Wilson would benefit from a fresh start.
Chavez leaving is a bummer, but it’ll also be exciting to see who the Cubs end up replacing him with, as it’s all but guaranteed it’ll be a new face.
