Headlines

  • White Sox To Sign Elvis Andrus
  • Tarik Skubal Undergoes Flexor Tendon Surgery
  • Joey Votto To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery On Rotator Cuff
  • Rangers Fire President Of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels
  • Athletics Release Elvis Andrus
  • Braves, Michael Harris II Agree To Eight-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Andrew Chafin Declines Mutual Option

By Steve Adams | November 4, 2021 at 12:58pm CDT

Athletics left-hander Andrew Chafin is declining his half of a $5.25MM mutual option and will become a free agent, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. He’ll be paid a $500K buyout and return to the open market as one of the more appealing left-handed relievers available in free agency. Oakland has since announced that Chafin declined his portion of the option and that the team exercised its own half (although Chafin’s decision was due first).

The 31-year-old Chafin was nothing short of excellent for both the A’s and the Cubs in 2021, pitching to a combined 1.83 ERA with a 24.1% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate through 68 2/3 innings. Chafin held left-handed hitters to a laughable .170/.250/.233 batting line and was only marginally more vulnerable against right-handed opponents, who mustered just a .196/.247/.304 slash against the southpaw.

Chafin yielded an average exit velocity of just 87.7 mph in 2021, ranking in the 78th percentile of big league hurlers, and Statcast placed him in the 85th percentile or better in hard-hit rate, opponents’ chase rate, expected ERA, expected opponents’ average and expected opponents’ slugging — all based on the quality of the contact he allowed and his K-BB tendencies.

That terrific season marked not only a rebound from a poor showing in 9 2/3 frames during the shortened 2020 season but also a career year on the mound. Chafin was a strong lefty option with the D-backs from 2015-19, pitching to a combined 3.55 ERA in 251 innings of relief, but the 2021 campaign is far and away the best work of his career to date.

Given the relatively thin market for left-handed relievers and the outstanding work he delivered this season, Chafin should command interest on multi-year deals from contending clubs looking to add some southpaw firepower to the back of their relief corps.

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Oakland Athletics Transactions Andrew Chafin

Adam Duvall Declines Mutual Option, Will Be Arbitration-Eligible
Main
Mets, Kevin Pillar Decline 2022 Option
View Comments (28)

Comments

  1. In Stearns we Trust

    10 months ago

    needs more money in the open market to keep the mustache going. not easy and not cheap

    Reply
  2. DarkSide830

    10 months ago

    who will Oakland get to replace him to keep up their fabulous ‘stashe tradition?

    Reply
  3. Dustyslambchops23

    10 months ago

    Going to be a long winter for A’s fans

    Reply
    • A'sfaninLondonUK

      10 months ago

      @dusty

      Ain’t that the truth. An ice age hits Oakland….

      Reply
      • Ducky Buckin Fent

        10 months ago

        Hey, what’s up, @London.

        Do you think a major selloff is coming or do you think Beane tries to rebuild as he goes? I can see an argument made for either. Although, I favor the latter.

        Reply
        • bill-bellamy

          10 months ago

          The smart thing to do would be fire sale. Both Matt’s, Basset and Manea would score a whole farm system. A’s won’t serious until they get a stadium and that’s at least 4 years off at best,.

  4. Dorothy_Mantooth

    10 months ago

    Chafin had a monster 2021. 71 appearances, ERA under 2.00 and a WHIP under 1.00. He looks primed for a 3 year deal around $15M-$18M.

    Reply
    • baseballpun

      10 months ago

      I’ve been too jilted as a Cards fan, I guess. I would never want to dish out that kind of money to a reliever. Too unpredictable.

      Reply
      • A'sfaninLondonUK

        10 months ago

        @Dorothy

        He’s just turned down $5.25m for 2022. He’s getting more than $18m over three years.

        Reply
      • cards81

        10 months ago

        This is a classic Cardinals overpay Lefty relief guy…not saying he wouldn’t be worth the money but I could see it happening

        Reply
  5. FletcherFan69

    10 months ago

    like him as an option for Philly

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      10 months ago

      yeyeye

      Reply
  6. hammertime510

    10 months ago

    Post Malone is leaving?

    Reply
  7. zacharydmanprin

    10 months ago

    Chafin became very hittable with Oakland. Unsure if it was overuse or what. A’s had him as the closer for a few appearances and it was not impressive.

    Reply
    • A'sfaninLondonUK

      10 months ago

      @zachary above

      I don’t think we were watching the same pitcher – of Romo, Diekman, Petit and Chafin – if the A’s could sign any of those four for next season I’d be taking Chafin first….

      Not likely now obviously….

      Reply
      • zacharydmanprin

        10 months ago

        The skinniest kid at fat camp isn’t necessarily skinny…Chafin spectacularly blew two saves for the A’s in September and gave up 24 hits in 29 innings. Just because he had a tidy ERA does not mean he was a lockdown reliever.

        Reply
        • A'sfaninLondonUK

          10 months ago

          @zachary above

          I’m more seduced by WHIP (aren’t we all) but I’m with your comparison. Obviously the girthiest moustache doesn’t equal John Holmes.

          But on the scheme of things who was the A’s most lockdown reliever this year?

        • zacharydmanprin

          10 months ago

          They didn’t have one and Melvin didn’t help matters with his ham fisted bullpen management. A’s fans have been prostrating themselves…A’a failure in the playoffs is due to bullpen mismanagement.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          10 months ago

          The Reds & Royals are teams that rode a high octane end game all the way to titles. That’s a pretty well known template by now.
          Cashman – for example – has embraced it.

          The Pirates of 2013-15 & the A’s of ’19 are two teams I can recall who had bullpens that went 7 deep. I remember being especially concerned with that A’s pen in the play- in game, & their relief pitching was lauded as a Real Strength for Pittsburgh.

          MLB isn’t quite the copycat league that the NFL is (yet). Yet I can’t help but wonder if one of those teams had gone on a championship run, if we would be seeing teams attempting to replicate the same thing.
          Probably would.

  8. MannyBeingMVP

    10 months ago

    Bring the Sheriff back to Wrigley.

    Reply
  9. BuhnerBuzzCut

    10 months ago

    I thought that pic was Rod Beck

    Reply
    • BillyBaggins

      10 months ago

      Close. May Rod Beck RIP.

      Reply
  10. julyn82001

    10 months ago

    I’m sure BoMel is taking note of this now that he is the skipper of the San Diego Padres…

    Reply
  11. BillyBaggins

    10 months ago

    Don’t think he will but I’d love him back with the cubs.

    Reply
  12. HalosHeavenJJ

    10 months ago

    Cue every fan base saying they’d like him. I know I would.

    Reply
    • Not a clever name

      10 months ago

      Giants have buster money now, I would love to see them pick this guy up

      Reply
  13. stymeedone

    10 months ago

    Tigers could use another lefty in the pen so Alexander can stay in the rotation.

    Reply
  14. Matt_Angel_Bronco_Laker

    10 months ago

    As an Angels fan, I’ve been pining for this man to don the Halo. I had hoped the Angels could have traded for him at the deadline, but the A’s beat them to it.

    Like many fans, I want him on my team!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    White Sox To Sign Elvis Andrus

    Tarik Skubal Undergoes Flexor Tendon Surgery

    Joey Votto To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery On Rotator Cuff

    Rangers Fire President Of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels

    Athletics Release Elvis Andrus

    Braves, Michael Harris II Agree To Eight-Year Extension

    A’s Shut Paul Blackburn Down For Rest Of Season

    Mets To Promote Top Prospect Brett Baty

    Carlos Carrasco Diagnosed With Low-Grade Oblique Strain

    A’s Promote Shea Langeliers, Release Stephen Piscotty

    Rangers Fire Manager Chris Woodward

    Walker Buehler To Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

    Orioles Promote DL Hall

    Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation

    Tarik Skubal Visiting Specialist With Elbow Issue; Expected To Miss Remainder Of Season

    Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment

    Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila

    Matt Carpenter Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Foot Fracture

    Braves Select Top Prospect Vaughn Grissom, Activate Kirby Yates

    Recent

    Brewers Designate Jakson Reetz For Assignment

    Mets Claim Yolmer Sanchez, Designate Patrick Mazeika

    Rays Designate Jimmy Yacabonis For Assignment

    Royals Designate Joel Payamps For Assignment

    Phillies Claim Bradley Zimmer

    White Sox To Sign Elvis Andrus

    Tarik Skubal Undergoes Flexor Tendon Surgery

    Royals Move Brad Keller To Bullpen

    White Sox In Talks With Elvis Andrus

    Dellin Betances Reportedly Retires

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Cubs Decline To Trade Contreras, Happ
    • Giants Keep Rodon, Pederson
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version