Rangers sign Jesse Chavez, move Joe Palumbo to 60 day disabled list

The Texas Rangers have announced the signing of pitcher Jesse Chavez to a one year deal. To make room for Chavez on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have transferred pitcher Joe Palumbo to the 60 day d.l.

The Chavez deal had been reported as being in place a couple of days ago, with Jon Heyman saying it is a $1 million base, $500,000 more if he’s added to the active roster, and various incentives of $500,000 to $1 million depending on if he is starting or relieving. Jeff Wilson says that it is a non-guaranteed deal, so even though it is technically a major league deal, assuming Wilson is correct, they aren’t on the hook with Chavez if they opt to cut bait with him this spring. The Rangers did similar non-guaranteed major league deals with Joe Saunders and Tommy Hanson prior to the 2014 season.

Chavez gives the Rangers a depth piece who has experience both starting and relieving, and if the Rangers go with a six man rotation, he could be a middle relief/long man type out of the bullpen who can go multiple innings.

Palumbo, of course, underwent Tommy John surgery last year, and is expected to miss the first half of the season, so his moving to the 60 day disabled list is not a surprise.