Blue Jays reportedly acquire SP Jesse Chavez from Athletics

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded reliever Liam Hendriks to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for starting pitcher Jesse Chavez, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

The Blue Jays face the strong possibility of losing David Price to free agency, Mark Buehrle is a free agent who has teased retirement and Drew Hutchison had a 5.57 ERA in 30 games a year ago.

Chavez would slot in to the current rotation as a member of the starting five, it seems, but is not necessarily a name that the Blue Jays should want above the fifth spot.

Chavez, 32, is coming off his third full season with the Athletics after being acquired in mid-2012. He posted a 5-0 record to go along with an impressive 2.92 ERA, plus 71 strikeouts in 64.1 innings.

Since he broke in with the Pirates in 2008, Chavez has pitched primarily as a reliever. But over three seasons with the A’s, he made 47 of his 97 appearances as a starter, posting a 3.85 ERA.

The Jays claimed Chavez off waivers from Kansas City after the 2011 season.

Chavez is actually returning to Toronto, as he played with the Blue Jays for a brief period in 2012 with an 8.44 ERA in nine games before being traded to Oakland.