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LOS ANGELES — The first of the Dodgers’ nine major league free agents to sign this offseason won’t have to move very far at all. Jesse Chavez signed a one-year deal with the Angels, the team announced today.
His contract is worth $5.75 million, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
Chavez, who appeared in 62 games all in relief in 2016 between the Blue Jays and Dodgers, signed as a starting pitcher with the Angels, with another $2.5 million in incentives per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Chavez started 47 games for the A’s from 2014-2015 before pitching exclusively in relief in 2016. He put up a 4.43 ERA in his 67 innings, with 63 strikeouts and 18 walks, including 21 strikeouts, eight walks and a 4.21 ERA in 23 games after the Dodgers acquired him on Aug. 1 for pitcher Mike Bolsinger.
Chavez, now 33, went to Miller High School in Fontana and pitched at Riverside Community College. He has a 4.54 ERA in nine major league seasons, in 315 games including 49 starts, with 536 strikeouts and 205 walks in 604⅔ innings.
The Angels designated outfielder Rafael Ortega for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Chavez.