Jesse Chavez signs with Texas Rangers

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesJesse Chavez was acquired by the Cubs from the Rangers July 19, 2018 for Ricky Tyler Thomas, a 22-year-old lefthander then at South Bend.

And Chavez proceeded to give the Cubs the best two and a half months of his career. He posted a 1.15 ERA, 0.795 WHIP and 1.5 bWAR in 39 innings. He struck out 42 and walked just five. (Not a misprint: five walks, a walk rate of 1.2 per nine innings.)

That was by far the best performance of Chavez’ career. And after the Cubs lost the wild-card game in October, it seemed as if the Cubs might be able to retain him:

Jesse Chavez just told a few of his teammates "If I'm not wearing this next year –points to Cubs logo on shirt–…