Texas Rangers: Jesse Chavez First Player to be Traded

The Texas Rangers made their first big move of this summer Thursday night sending Jesse Chavez to the Chicago Cubs.

Thursday night the Texas Rangers made their first real foray into the trade market agreeing to send Jesse Chavez to the Chicago Cubs first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. In his initial tweet breaking the news, the return for Texas was unknown.

Pretty quickly after news broke, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported the prospect headed to the Rangers, LHP Tyler Thomas.

Chavez had appeared in 30 games for the Rangers this season out of the bullpen. Putting together a solid campaign, Chavez has a 3-1 record with a 3.51 ERA. Jesse sports a 4.17 strikeout to walk ratio and has recorded 50 strikeouts in 56.1 innings.

One of the more consistent relief pitchers Texas has had this season, it wasn’t unexpected that Chavez might be on the move. The 34-year old has an expiring contract meaning he could provide immediate relief depth for the Cubs while also not forcing their hand long term. Texas picked Jesse Chavez up as a free agent this offseason on a 1-year, $1m deal as a reliever who could make starts if needed.

For the Rangers, they’ll acquire young left handed pitcher, Tyler Thomas. Thomas was the Cubs 7th round pick in last year’s draft out of Cal State in Fresno. The 22-year old has spent 2018 with the Cubs Single-A affiliate South Bend. He’s appeared in 15 games and made 14 starts. On the year he’s posted a 3-5 record with a 2.88 ERA in 75 innings. Impressively, Thomas sports a 5.79 strikeout to walk ratio and has struck out 81 batters in 2018.

The Texas Rangers will assign Tyler Thomas to Single-A Hickory when he arrives.

Next: Should Texas Wait to Move Cole Hamels?

Make sure to visit us for more trade news as the month of July rolls on.