With the free agent class light on quality starting pitchers, the Angels have come up with a creative solution. The team has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with righty reliever Jesse Chavez, who will work as a starter.
Jesse Chavez has agreed to a one-year, $5.75M deal with the #Angels. Can make $3M more in incentives. Signed as a starter.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 11, 2016
Chavez, 33, has experience as a starting pitcher. In fact, he started 26 games for the Athletics as recently as 2015. He's made 49 career big league starts, most of which came with Oakland from 2014-15. Chavez worked exclusive in relief this past season.
In 62 games with the Blue Jays and Dodgers in 2016, Chavez had a 4.43 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP in 67 innings. He owns a career 4.14 ERA in 284 2/3 innings as a starter compared to a 4.89 ERA in 320 innings as a reliever, which is weird, as pitchers usually are more effective in relief.
The Angels are without Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano, both of whom are rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Ace Garrett Richards is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery himself with a stem cell treatment. So far things are going well for Richards and his rehab.
Chavez will join Matt Shoemaker, Ricky Nolasco, Tyler Skaggs, and hopefully Richards in the Halos' rotation next year. Longtime Angels righty Jered Weaver is a free agent.
