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Cubs Interested In Andrew Chafin, Matt Moore

By Mark Polishuk | January 14, 2023 at 9:06pm CDT

The Cubs continue to look for relief help, and The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma reports that left-handers Andrew Chafin and Matt Moore are both on the team’s radar.  It isn’t clear whether the Cubs are necessarily willing to meet either pitcher’s asking price, as president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had previously indicated that his team preferred one-year deals for relievers, and the Cubs have traditionally found success in adding relief pitching at lower-cost deals.

As Hoyer told Sharma and other reporters at today’s Cubs Convention fan event, this past strategy is now “a lot more difficult” in the current free agent market.  “If you look at the cost on some of the players we were able to do that on, it was really low stakes as far as what we were paying those guys.  I do think the buy-low reliever market has been a lot higher than the past.  It’s made that job difficult.”

Of course, neither Chafin or Moore are buy-low players any longer, adding another wrinkle to Chicago’s interest.  Chafin was in fact a bounce-back type when he signed a one-year, $2.75MM deal with the Cubs in the 2020-21 offseason, as the southpaw had struggled with the Diamondbacks in 2020 before the Cubs initially picked him up at the trade deadline.

That rough (and brief, at only 6 2/3 innings) stint with the D’Backs represented Chafin’s only real down point of the last six seasons, as the lefty has been an otherwise solid and occasionally dominant relief arm.  Last year with the Tigers, Chafin posted a 2.83 ERA and an above-average 27.6% strikeout rate, and 51.3% grounder rate over 57 1/3 innings, giving him a solid platform to re-enter the free agent market.  Chafin declined his $6.5MM player option for 2023, opting to leave Detroit in search of a more lucrative multi-year offer.  Chafin certainly has familiarity with Wrigley Field, and could theoretically have interest in a reunion — especially with the Cubs now looking to contend after a short rebuilding period.

MLBTR listed Chafin 39th on our ranking of the offseason’s top 50 free agents, projecting the veteran southpaw for a two-year, $18MM deal.  Moore was an honorable mention on the list, as while he only has one season of full-time relief work under his belt, Moore looked quite sharp in his first year as a bullpen regular.  The left-hander posted a 1.95 ERA over 74 innings with the Rangers, even if a 3.69 SIERA and a .257 BABIP indicated Moore enjoyed some good fortune.

Still, secondary metrics tended to back up Moore’s revival.  He had a strong 27.3% strikeout rate and did an outstanding job of limiting hard contact, as both his hard-hit ball and barrel rates ranked above the 91st percentile of all pitchers.  However, control was still a major issue for Moore, as his 12.5% walk rate sat near the bottom of the league.

Signing either Chafin or Moore would add some left-handed balance to a Chicago bullpen that is mostly full of right-handers, as Brandon Hughes looks to be the only southpaw assured of a spot on the Opening Day roster.  The Cubs did bolster their left-handed depth by signing Roenis Elias, Ryan Borucki, and Eric Stout to minor league deals, while Anthony Kay was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays last month.

Hoyer said that “bench and bullpen” are remaining target areas for the Cubs, with Sharma noting that the team could be looking for a player who can serve as a DH and possibly play some first base.  Rather than free agency, the Cubs could potentially look to address their needs in a trade, and perhaps to this end, Sharma writes that the versatile Zach McKinstry “has also been a popular name when other teams call the Cubs regarding trade possibilities.”  Sharma opines that Chicago could possibly trade McKinstry and replace him from within with Miles Mastrobuoni, a similar player who (unlike McKinstry) has minor league options remaining.

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Post a Comment

42 Comments

  1. In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

    2 years ago

    The Rangers should be interested as well.

    1
    Reply
    • CaptainJudge99

      2 years ago

      Best solution, sign both to help contend in the NL Central, the Cubbies are definitely close. I love the signing of Mancini today.

      4
      Reply
  2. Yankee Clipper

    2 years ago

    The Cubs are worried about the cost of middle relievers? Goodness, I feel bad for their fans.

    4
    Reply
    • desertbull

      2 years ago

      2009

      Oopsie

      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        2 years ago

        I’m confused about the comment…. What’s that mean regarding the Cubs’ owners refusing to spend money?

        Reply
        • drasco036

          2 years ago

          Refusing to spend money? Have you paid attention at all this off-season? With the Mancini deal, the Cubs payroll (for cubs purposes) is 216 million.

          Sure, it’s not the Yankees, Mets, Padres who are making a mockery of the luxury tax but it’s a far cry from not spending money.

          2
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          2 years ago

          Drasco036: So, you’re submitting that they’ve done well with spending to acquire FAs or retaining them?

          They narrative says Hoyer spoke about how he may not be able to acquire a mid-relief pitcher because of money. For the Cubs that’s not acceptable if they need one – or at least it shouldn’t be.

          And in terms of your “mockery” comment….it’s hard to support your argument when the Yankees refuse to go over the third tier despite their needs. Moreover, it’s a tax, not a cap, and they’re both paying the tax, so they’re complying with the rules. How exactly is that making a mockery of it?

          Now, if you say they’re making a mockery of the Cubs because they refuse to spend on personnel they need, I would agree with you. But you can’t mock a system by complying with it – that makes no sense at all.

          But you may read this article and interpret his market commentary differently. I accept that.

          1
          Reply
        • Franco27

          2 years ago

          I think spending close to 230m is spending money.

          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          2 years ago

          Yes, and you’re intentionally (apparently) misstating my point for the sake of…..making yourself feel good, I guess?

          When did I say anything about their total budget?

          Nevertheless, if you are okay with the money they spent and the team the Cubs have, that’s wonderful! It’s better than great for the rest of the NL teams too.

          So, I said “the Cubs are worried about the cost of middle relievers?” And you said they have a $230MM payroll. I guess the two cannot coexist in your mind. I’m okay with that, but it doesn’t make rewording my observation factual.

          1
          Reply
      • Robert-5

        2 years ago

        Been hoping Cubs would get Moore. Very good fit and he looked really sharp last year from what Ive seen.

        4
        Reply
    • Led Hoyer

      2 years ago

      Hoyers super power is signing bargain relievers.

      2
      Reply
      • Dogbone

        2 years ago

        But they probably should have extended Chafin when they had him, instead of letting him go. He was very good in the Cubs pen.

        3
        Reply
        • quonset point

          2 years ago

          Palencia might be a good find in exchange for trading Chafin back then.

          1
          Reply
        • Unclemike1525

          2 years ago

          Palencia is a stud. If he’s healthy he’ll be top notch.

          Reply
    • Unclemike1525

      2 years ago

      Clipper- They’re not worried about money. They have a lot of internal options they can go with. I think they were just playing the waiting game to see if prices came down and they appear to be. They’re still a preferred destination for some guys. I doubt they’ll be dealing away at the deadline. More like they’ll be adding this year. About time.

      1
      Reply
    • God Help Us All

      2 years ago

      Try to keep up, Clipper. The Cubs aren’t worried about the cost of middle infielders. They have redundancy and they’re looking to deal from a position of strength.

      Reply
  3. matthew07

    2 years ago

    Moore over Chafin. Also Jorge Alfaro for bench and Johan Camargo for 3rd base.

    1
    Reply
    • Capi

      2 years ago

      You obviously can’t read… Or don’t know what buy-low means.

      1
      Reply
      • SFBay314

        2 years ago

        Too rich for Giants would love to have him

        1
        Reply
    • DTD/ATL1313

      2 years ago

      You don’t want Camargo at all, trust me. He can’t hit, defense is average at best, and he pouts if he doesn’t get what he wants.

      Reply
    • Unclemike1525

      2 years ago

      None of the above there Mathew. Yuck.

      Reply
  4. SODOMOJO

    2 years ago

    Moore was so nasty this past year. It didn’t even seem like the same guy I saw struggling as a starter all those years ago. All his stuff was crisp and tight last year.

    6
    Reply
  5. This one belongs to the Reds

    2 years ago

    We should be interested in those guys…or any bullpen guys or a couple starting pitchers for that matter.

    But the kid GM sits on his hands when it comes to big league players.

    2
    Reply
  6. positively_broad_st

    2 years ago

    Neither Chafin nor Moore are signing a one year deal, not even one with an option. Two years with an option minimum for each…

    2
    Reply
    • NicoHoerndawg

      2 years ago

      Still can sign one of them for two years and trade them away. I don’t think it will be a deal breaker. Or even a somewhat front loaded 2 year deal with a team option on a 3rd year with a player opt-out after the first year. Ex: Chafin yr 1 $9, yr 2 $5m, yr 3 team option $6. So he can opt out after the first year if he pitches so well and can earn an even better contract.

      Reply
      • rondon

        2 years ago

        I think barring a horrible start, they’re past the “flipping guys at mid-season” stage of the rebuild.. If they sign Chaffin or Moore, they’re keeping him.

        Reply
        • NicoHoerndawg

          2 years ago

          @Rondon- I agree we’re past the point of flipping guys, but like you say a bad start can put them behind the 8-ball already. Beyond that, enough injuries to the starting rotation or too much regression by last year’s young starters, or if neither Bellinger or Mancini play well enough, or Swanson has a hard time adjusting and playing in the first year of his big contract, this team won’t be any better than last year. So if even a couple of those scenarios play out, I don’t think they’ll have much of a chance at the post season. I’m optimistic about the season ahead, but also staying realistic about the possibilities.

          Reply
        • rondon

          2 years ago

          Boy, that’s a lot of things to go wrong- I think the rotation will at least be decent. And Swanson nose diving seems like a stretch. Maybe he starts slow but comes back..? And I’m thinking even decent seasons by Mancini and Bellinger would be a win since at this point they’re not long term answers. Gonna be fun to watch.

          Reply
        • NicoHoerndawg

          2 years ago

          Not saying it’s all gonna go wrong. But a couple of those situations materialize and there won’t be any playoffs.

          Reply
      • rememberthecoop

        2 years ago

        Why woukd they trade them away?

        1
        Reply
    • stevie3mc

      2 years ago

      let’s make Chafin a padre…why not

      Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        Chafin signed with Detroit because he wanted to be by his home in Ohio. He’s most likely to sign with a Midwest team. I’m still hoping for a Detroit reunion.

        1
        Reply
  7. Unclemike1525

    2 years ago

    I think Jed and Carter must have consulted a crystal ball at the Cubs Convention. Or had an epiphany. They came out Saturday spendin like Steve Cohen. Or Preller. Just wild money being tossed around. LMAO

    Reply
    • This one belongs to the Reds

      2 years ago

      There’s a saying that if you listen to the fans, you end up sitting with them.

      Reply
      • Unclemike1525

        2 years ago

        If the Cubs sign Mancini and Chafin they will have signed most of the guys I asked for. Bellinger, Mancini, A SS, Chafin, And another C. I asked for Senga but got Tallion instead. Might even turn out better. Boxberger and Smyly were like extra presents on Christmas. This is going to be a heck of a spring with young guys getting extra reps because of the WBC, Some vets will be out of camp.

        1
        Reply
  8. jvent

    2 years ago

    The Cubs are going after the guys I wanted on the Mets ( Taillon,Mancini and now Chafin and Moore) lol leave 1 of those relievers for the Mets lol

    Reply
  9. PaulyMidwest

    2 years ago

    As a cubs fan I am very happy how this offseasons has went so far..would love Chafin or Moore.

    Reply
  10. Ma4170

    2 years ago

    I’ve been wanting chafin on the Mets all offseason but seems clear it’s not happening… would be a great add for any team

    Reply
  11. sergefunction

    2 years ago

    Cannot guess what Chafin seeks money-wise, but I betcha he opted out of his Detroit contract to opt out of Detroit. Terrible team, and the cider mills and Coney Islands only satisfy to a certain extent.

    Very likely looking at an Ohio or Illinois team.

    Reply
    • Unclemike1525

      2 years ago

      Well he opted out of 6 million that he could of gotten from Detroit so it’s my guess you can start there and work your way up. And he deserves it.

      1
      Reply
  12. thickiedon

    2 years ago

    If they’re motive is to buy low and leave funds for possible mid season deal, going after Will Smith seems to make a ton of sense. Chafin and Moore are gonna demand top dollar and desire multi yr contracts. Smith could sign a single year prove it deal

    Reply
  13. User 1855579867

    2 years ago

    Are teams wary of paying a “hefty” price for Chafin?

    Reply

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