Jesse Chavez is a 38 year old right handed pitcher that owns the title of the most traded player in MLB history. Over 15 seasons, Chavez has been involved in 18 transactions where he has switched teams including being drafted, traded, claimed, or signed. But some teams have an affinity for him and brought him back multiple times, giving him nine different employers across his career.

Where It Started

Chavez was initially drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 39th round of the 2001 draft but decided not to sign. The next season he was drafted in the 42nd round by the Texas Rangers. He spent four years in the Rangers system before being traded to the Pirates, the team he would make his MLB debut for in 2008 at age 25.

Over the next four seasons he would be involved in four trades, landing with the Oakland A's in 2012. Through his career to that point, he became a heavily relied on middle reliever with good strikeout stuff.

Three Teams Later

The A's stretched him out to be a starter, making 68 starts for Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels (making brief stops with the Blue Jays and Dodgers in between) and 197 appearances in total. 565 innings later, he racked up 509 strikeouts with a respectable 2.83 punch outs per walk.

Three More Teams Later

The Texas Rangers came back around on Chavez 12 years after they traded him away as a minor leaguer. He made 30 appearances in 2018, got traded to the Cubs where he made 32 more, collectively adding up to his best season with a 2.55 earned run average across 95.1 innings with 92 strikeouts and just 17 walks. That was good enough to earn him a two year, $8 million contract back with the Rangers.

Once that contract ran out, he had a second stay with the Angels that lasted a month, but was shortly after scooped up by the Atlanta Braves. Across 30 appearances in 2021, he made his mark, throwing 33.2 innings and pitching in his second postseason. Chavez pitched in the National League Division Series, Championship Series and the World Series. In seven games, the veteran would not allow a run as the team eventually lifted the World Series trophy, thanks in part to his efforts.

In true Chavez fashion, he is now 38 years old and has played for two teams this season, being traded once again from the Cubs to the Braves. One would have to imagine that he is close to the end of his career but given that he is still quite effective, its conceivable that Chavez could grace another three or four rosters.

Mound Visit

Saints Sports Network is a Christian group that brings you interesting sports coverage. Our name comes from Ephesians 2:18-21 where it notes that all Christians are saints in God's eyes. Therefore we are saints who write about sports but also want to make sure to share the Gospel. That's where Mound Visit comes into play because we all need a visit to the mound from God in good times and bad to recenter our lives and trust in him. We'll do that by highlighting a Bible verse for you to think and pray about in each newsletter that you receive from us.