The Tigers have an agreement with lefty reliever Andrew Chafin, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Chafin’s contract will be a two-year deal in the $13MM range, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That is indeed the contract value, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network, who notes the inclusion of an opt-out after 2022. Chafin is represented by Meister Sports Management.
Chafin, 31, posted a career-best 1.83 ERA in 68 2/3 innings for the Cubs and Athletics in 2021. Though his 24.1 K% was down from previous years, he also managed a career-best 7.1 BB%. Chafin was tough on both righties and lefties in ’21, and actually posted a significantly higher strikeout rate against righties. Though Chafin is not known for his velocity or spin rate, his Statcast metrics regarding quality of contact are excellent.
Chafin was drafted 43rd overall by the Diamondbacks out of Kent State back in 2011. He’s made 66+ appearances in a season five different times, leading all MLB relievers with 225 appearances from 2017-19. In facing 263 lefty batters since 2019, Chafin has posted an 18.3 K-BB% against them while allowing a .225/.290/.317 batting line.
According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, the relative proximity to Chafin’s Ohio home was an advantage for Detroit. The Chafin signing is another move toward respectability for the Tigers in an offseason full of them. The club committed $217MM to Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez prior to the lockout, also trading for catcher Tucker Barnhart. Chafin joins a Tigers bullpen that is slated to include holdovers Gregory Soto, Michael Fulmer, Jose Cisnero, Alex Lange, and Kyle Funkhouser.
In February of last year, the Cubs signed Chafin to a one-year, $2.75MM deal. Near the July trade deadline, he was dealt to Oakland for minor leaguers Greg Deichmann and Daniel Palencia.
Three other lefty relievers have signed two-year deals this winter. Aaron Loup received a $17MM deal from the Angels, while Brooks Raley got $10MM from the Rays and Jake Diekman got $8MM from the Red Sox. Brad Hand, Matt Strahm, T.J. McFarland, and Joely Rodriguez inked one-year pacts. Here’s a look at the lefty relievers still remaining in free agency.
Avila making moves today . . . lol
Wow, I thought he was going to play for the Mets. What happened to Cohen?
Mets bullpen is definitely not weak, but I don’t see it as being as strong as it was last year. So maybe there’s a little hope for other teams in the NLE (Braves already have hope and could win the division as is, I more meant Phillies, Marlins).
This guy really said what happened to Cohen Ike he isn’t the best owner.. lol
Haven’t thought about Ike Davis in a long time, thanks.
Nice!!!!
This is much more than I was expecting. He was at the top of my wish list for LHR!! GO AL!
Same here, Styme
Was amazed Chafin was out there this long.
MLB is a bullpen game and this man was one of the best FA options in 2022. Got him for a reasonable salary as well. Don’t know if other teams shied away or if he was looking for a team on the rise.
Anyway, yet another smart move by Avila. It’s not necessarily the flashy ones that count. When coming out of a rebuild it’s the cumulative effect of multiple solid moves that ready the team for contention. Lesson for young FO employees learning about the rebuild process – watch the Tigers and don’t do what the White Sox did.
Sure beats Hudson and Kroll, who tried last year.
Great relief pitcher. I think he can continue doing what he did in 21.
excellent pitcher and clubhouse guy.
I like this move along with Peralta
95% sure that’s Kenny Powers
Solid signing!!
Good for Chafin. Fun player.
13 million for a a failed starter!? ;). Love the signing
The guy screams one-year wonder.
Career 3.30 ERA. even if he only gives them that he’s worth the money.
Finally, a quality addition to the Tigers’ pitching staff. This kind of reliever fits very well with the newer model of a pitching staff.
Wily Peralta is another nice addition. I’m a bit surprised that he couldn’t get a major league contract after a decent 2021 season, and the lack of pitching remaining.
This move officially puts the Tigers at the median MLB payroll.
Have to wonder if this was done with the notion of letting Tyler Alexander compete for the 5th starter role. The options on the open market for a 5th starter were not that great. Sure, could bring back Peralta, but despite a good 2021 for us, he still is a pitcher that most teams would rather give a MiLB deal and a spring invite. His stuff was not that great in 2021 to make a MLB deal a certainty. The fact that the Tigers did not offer him a contract after that year knowing they needed another starter suggests the Tigers were not all that enamored with his performance.
In fact, the Tigers have re-signed Peralta to a minor league deal.
Dang. I didn’t realize how solid he was last year.
He was nails last year. Even if he regresses, that’s still a good signing.
Solid move – surprised he wasn’t signed much earlier. Have to think Ryan Tepera and Kenley Jansen’s markets are heating up right about now.
Mets chances at revitalizing that bullpen closing.
Bullpen has taken a bit of a hit this year, but they have guys who can go deep into games, so they won’t be relying on it as much.
The offense hasn’t gotten much, if any, better. That budget and you get Marte, Escobar, Canha with Cano reluctantly returning? Marte already experiencing oblique soreness and Lindor can’t live up to expectations – now without Baez as a cheerleader – that lack of run support will continue to haunt deGrom, Scherzer, Bassitt. Great pick-up with Bassitt, but you’d think they’d load more up on bullpen depth to not put so much pressure on arms that (in deGrom/Scherzer) have been susceptible to injury/fatigue of late. They’ll benefit if giving McNeil 2B full-time.
**And let’s not even speak about a big IF NYM management can’t get NYC City Hall to relax its home vaccine mandate, which could apply to a few Mets… (and if you think City Hall will bend, they still haven’t with Kyrie).
Yes, let the hatred flow through you.
McNeil Mauricio for hader
@MetsFan22 I’d keep McNeil if I were the Mets. I really think the Mets can win as is.
Love it Avila! DEEtroit baseball.
Please top it off with Conforto
What? No dude. OF is fine, what are you talking about? Conforto? Money? No no no
I know, I just can’t stand watching Reyes, Hill, Cameron, Castro(s) get on base less than 30% of the time again. Robbie Grossman was a solid signing, I truly believe this would be very similar situation + production /+ cost. It would free up some time for Greene, creating a less than stressful/hectic rookie season. Competition is needed. I want Greene to be the next Ken Griffey Jr, but need to be realistic. Keep in mind, Grossman is a FA after this season, and Baddoo could have a the destine sophomore slump.
Disappointing for Mets.
I hoping we’d sign him!!! And we resigned Peralta too
Did Todd Jones change his name?
…and lost a few pounds too!
I love these signings. Nothing that will anchor this mid-cap team down an entire decade, not giving up on the farm, and improving on needs not currently available. Beautiful. Baez and Rodriguez contract length was a little concerning for me, but both will be right around the age of 34 when it expires.
Avila is turning me into a believer, & he has my support.
HAH!!! Hello, Newman! The immortal Seinfeld!! 🙂
Guy has made $10M over his 6 year career & signs for $13M over 2 years. Nice bump in pay
Had a good 2 yrs
You spelled Todd Jones wrong
Not crazy about the opt-out, though. Fulmer would hit free agency after this season and so would Chafin if he performs well.
The best thing is he outperforms. If we’re under .500 that could be a very good prospect in return, if we’re in the chase he’s a good player to have on your side. And if he stinks, it’s only $13m/2year. I really don’t think that’s unreasonable.
And Schoop. And both Rodriguez and Baez have opt outs after 23. Give Detroit your Best and then take someone else’s money for the decline years!
Grossman’s last season too
I didn’t really think there would be any further multi-season deals for the tigers. I’m pleasantly surprised.
Good signing. A solid reliever and not a huge financial commitment either. It will allow the Tigers the option of using Tyler Alexander as the 5th starter. Honestly he is as good an option as anyone left on the free agent market.
Tigers are a playoff team this season. They’ve finally got the goods.
Idk about that. Between: Reyes, Hill, Cameron, H Castro, W Castro, Clemens, Paredes
, I would like to see another obp upgrade.
Gotta look at their core, not their utility players.
1-Turnbull
2-schoop
s-Baez
3-Candy
C-Barnhart
L-Baddoo
C-Riley
R-Grossman
D-Cabrera
S-Mize
S-Skubal
S-E Rod
S-Manning
R-chafin
R-Soto
Playoff team
Hope so. It’s going to be a tall order for some rooks and sophomores
I think you mean “1-Torkelson.” Not sure about playoffs, but at least the Tigers will be more interesting and relevant than in the past 5-7 years.
I know Turnbull is recovering from TJS, but I would prefer Torkelson at 1B instead of having Turnbull learn the position, lol. Greene and Reyes start out platooning in CF.
Stop it with the playoff talk. Playing barely over ,500 ball for a majority of 1 season doesn’t mean a whole lot
I wouldn’t get your hopes up expecting Torkelson or Greene to start out the season in mlb.
Would’ve been a splendid signing for Astros who seem to have issues signing decent LHRPs
Yesssssss!
Yuck
no u
Okay, Al! I see you!
I can see him competing with Jake Roger for wildest mustache, or at least carrying on his title.
Underrated player, great signing by the Tigers.
not bad for a guy who used to live a van down by the river
There’s a new sheriff in town.
Someone had to say it.
Al Avila has done everything he said that he set out to do this off season.
Hopefully he’s as good as he has been, he will solidify the bullpen even more. I’d like to see Fulmer try starting again
Dang it!! I really wanted him as a Mariner. God knows we could afford him
Kelly, Tepera, McHugh.
Al.could.join Luke Nelson’s band…..
Appears Joe Jimenez is the odd man out. However had supposedly had a good winter in Puerto Rico and fixed some of his flaws so maybe he’ll be back to his potential and solidify the Tigers bullpen even more
“Maybe this is the season Joe turns it around,” he said for the 5th year in a row
This would be about the 20th time JJ had an excellent offseason playing winter ball…he needs a change of scenery.
Two more seasons of Miguel Cabrera as the number 3 in the batting order.
It MUST BE that Al Avila has surrounded himself with “Yes” men.
Doesn’t anybody think out of the box there?
Maybe as a fan, I am out of touch with reality…..
But this is no way to build a monster team. Too Conservative. Hoping to eek into the playoffs and get lucky.
That’s not a good plan.
Real Tiger fans can handle a continued total teardown – but you GOTTA END UP WITH A MONSTER TEAM.
NOT THIS BS
( This is review of what Al Avlia has NOT DONE, not any indication of my feeling about Chafin, whom I am sure is a great pitcher.)
And I like Al. Certainly.
And I don’t mean to insult the man.
But…..
When I walk down Central Park West….
.I WANT THE GD RESPECT I DESERVE!
COME ON TIGERS!
Lol
Eastbound and down