Blue Jays news: Jesse Chavez wins $4M arbitration case

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jesse Chavez has won his arbitration case and will earn $4 million in 2016, nearly doubling his salary from last year

One arbitration case down, one to go.

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly lost their arbitration hearing with starter Jesse Chavez, who will earn $4 million in 2016 instead of the $3.6 million number that the organization had filed in January.

Toronto’s only remaining case is that of Josh Donaldson, another situation where the player and organization filed very close numbers. Reports over the past two days indicate that the Blue Jays are interested in negotiating a multi-year deal with Donaldson before their hearing, which is reportedly set for February 15th.

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Returning to Chavez, he finds himself in a very similar position to last season’s newcomer Marco Estrada. While Estrada dealt with Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez battling for a final rotation spot, Chavez will be left to fight off Sanchez, Drew Hutchison and a crowded group of minor league additions who sit on the outside looking in.

Chavez made 26 starts and four relief appearances for the Oakland Athletics last season before coming over in the Liam Hendriks deal, posting a 4.18 ERA and 1.350 WHIP.

Endurance will be an issue for Chavez should he be given a longterm role in the rotation, as he has shown a tendency to fade late in the year. Such is understandable given that Chavez has not been a full-time starter throughout his career and tips the scales at just 160 pounds on a 6’2″ frame, but another full season in the role could certainly push him over the hump.

The Steamer projection system is forecasting a slight improvement for the right-hander with a 3.87 ERA over 131.0 innings this coming season.

Last season in Oakland, Chavez earned $2.15 million.