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.
needs more money in the open market to keep the mustache going. not easy and not cheap
who will Oakland get to replace him to keep up their fabulous ‘stashe tradition?
Going to be a long winter for A’s fans
@dusty
Ain’t that the truth. An ice age hits Oakland….
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.
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,.
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.
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.
@Dorothy
He’s just turned down $5.25m for 2022. He’s getting more than $18m over three years.
This is a classic Cardinals overpay Lefty relief guy…not saying he wouldn’t be worth the money but I could see it happening
like him as an option for Philly
yeyeye
Post Malone is leaving?
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.
@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….
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.
@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?
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.
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.
Bring the Sheriff back to Wrigley.
I thought that pic was Rod Beck
Close. May Rod Beck RIP.
I’m sure BoMel is taking note of this now that he is the skipper of the San Diego Padres…
Don’t think he will but I’d love him back with the cubs.
Cue every fan base saying they’d like him. I know I would.
Giants have buster money now, I would love to see them pick this guy up
Tigers could use another lefty in the pen so Alexander can stay in the rotation.
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!