On-again off-again on-again Atlanta Brave, Jesse Chavez, was on when he was given the ball in 2023 for the Braves. The 40 year-old reliever had an amazing run through the first several weeks of the season, All-Star worthy, even.
Unfortunately, his 2023 season was cut short with a broken bone in his leg. There is, however, plenty to say about the sharp-dressed man.
In 607 career appearances, Chavez is a 6.1 WAR pitcher. How special was 2023? He was a 1.4 WAR pitcher in 36 appearances. The veteran righty was 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 1.096 WHIP!
Sure Hall-of-Famer ripped a 99 mph shot back through the middle on June 14, all but ending Chavez’s season. He threw just four pitches that day – all for strikes – but took one off the shin that took a long time to heal. In 31 appearances before the injury, he allowed just five runs – three of which came in one bad outing against the Astros.
Time will tell what the future holds for Uncle Jesse, but he seems destined for a role in the organization. His teammates love him. The coaching staff loves him. And, most importantly perhaps, AA seems to love him. By all accounts, he is an incredible clubhouse presence, and since he is as old as most of the coaching staff, would fit right in with them, too!
Until he is ready to retire, I imagine we will be able to say the man, Jesse Chavez, was on again when he is re-signed by AA to an MiLB contract, will make the team again, and contribute nicely as a long-relief option with a host of lefty flame-throwers in the Atlanta ‘pen.
Hoping to see him on a MilB contract before Spring Training. Both he and TdA will make good coaches someday.
I really love how this offseason has shaped up. Last year’s team had more question marks going into Spring Training and even the season than this year’s and we still won 100+ games. I would really love the Braves to sign Kyle Lewis not only to complete the bench and platoon with Kelenic but to compete for time with Kelenic. They both have very similar pedigrees as prospects and lots of control. Either one or both could become a late blooming star. And Lewis is a GA guy. I’m guessing the only reason the Braves haven’t signed him is guarantee/money.
I realize I’m in the minority but I’m really hoping AA is not done with the rotation.
Sale is the most injury prone SP in the big leagues, Fried is leaving, Morton is 100 years old and Elder can’t get playoff outs.
Other than that we’re in good shape.
Fortunately, most of those are next year’s issues for next year’s offseason.
Not at all. I’m sure most of us hope AA isn’t done with the rotation. But he probably is. If there is more help, it will likely come internally–Ynoa, Anderson, Waldrep. The chances that one of those guys can be a capable starter in 2024 is pretty good. My money is on Ynoa.
As for Fried, I am not so sure he’s gone. If he leaves, it is probably because he turned down a better deal from us than we offered Nola.
For crying out loud, what more could AA do??? The Braves are already projected to have the best rotation in all of MLB. And that’s without much help from Anderson, AJSS, Waldrep, etc…. The Braves are also projected to have the best offense in all of MLB. They are tied for the best pitching staff as a whole (Phillies). And that’s without a breakout from Kelenic. I think our standards are a little off. What team in MLB has less risk than ATL? They are the consensus #1 team going into the season.
Frankly, I’m not a huge fan of Sale but I have to admit he has immense upside based upon his end of year performance last year.
Roger, you seem exasperated. I would recommend not taking personally any gentle critique of the Braves offseason strategy. You can’t truly believe that failing to invest in starting pitching didn’t cost us in 2020, 2022, and 2023. As for your question–what more could AA do this offseason–maybe nothing. It’s impossible to know what the budgetary constraints were, so I’m happy to aim my critique at pinch-penny ownership if that’s where it’s deserved. Most of us thought we had 2 good starting pitchers going into this offseason, so no, adding an injury-prone starter with a high ceiling doesn’t totally allay the concerns we will be wasting another historic offensive season by starting hot garbage in the playoffs again. If that’s the case, just remember you were crying out loud at people who did nothing but express concern history would repeat.
What DWonder fails to understand is that there just simply aren’t a lot of guys who toe the rubber very consistently and do it effectively while doing so. Sale made 20 starts last year. Guess where he ranks in starting pitcher fWAR: 59th. There are 150 rotation spots in baseball, and he was 59th. For your 4th starter, that’s damn good.
I do agree that Elder can’t get playoff outs, but he won’t need to if he remains the 5th starter.
And to Roger’s point, next offseason can worry about next offseason. Next offseason, we’ll have Morton, Ozuna, Fried, and d’Arnaud off the books next year, so we’ll have more of a clean slate to work with then.
And think the fair concern that we have 3 legitimate injury risks in the rotation (Fried, Morton, and Sale) and one guy we know we don’t want pitching in the playoffs (Elder). So if they get injured at the same time and specifically at the end of the year, we’re screwed.