Chicago White Sox: 3 buy-low candidates to sign on a 1-year deal

Jesse Chavez

The Chicago White Sox could use some experience and Jesse Chavez provides that.

Jesse Chavez has been in the MLB for more than a decade. He carries with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game. A player like that is exactly what you want on a roster. He has pitched in the big leagues for 14 seasons on nine different teams. Last season, he posted a 2.14 ERA in 30 games with the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves.

Before signing with the Braves, Chavez pitched with the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs from 2018-2019. He threw the ball pretty well, posting a combined 3.58 ERA with a 23 percent strikeout rate. He rarely gave out free passes too. Chavez only walked 5.5 percent of all the hitters he faced through 173 1/3 innings.

In 2020, he fell into a rut and got clobbered to the tune of a 6.88 ERA in 17 innings of work. He was then picked up by the Angels. After struggling during Cactus League play, he was cut. He refound his form with the Braves.

In 33 2/3 innings, he only allowed eight earned runs and struck out 36 batters. He even started four games for the Braves. With 83 major league starts under his belt, Chavez could serve as a cheap long reliever or spot starter. It would be similar to the role Mike Wright had with the White Sox last season. For his career, Chavez carries a 4.52 ERA, 20.8 percent strikeout rate, 7.4 percent walk rate, and 41.6 percent ground ball rate.

The high ground ball rate is promising. Guaranteed Rate Field is a home run hitters park so keeping the ball on the ground is in a pitcher’s best interest. His career numbers don’t jump off the page but the White Sox need guys to fill out the bullpen.

Chavez represents a cheap veteran option who could be valuable in the clubhouse. In 2018 he picked up four saves and had a microscopic 1.15 ERA in 32 appearances with the Chicago Cubs. Perhaps a return to Chicago can help him regain some magic.