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Rangers Acquire Andrew Chafin

By Steve Adams and Anthony Franco | July 30, 2024 at 3:36pm CDT

The Rangers announced they’ve acquired lefty reliever Andrew Chafin from the Tigers. Pitching prospects Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee are going to Detroit. Texas designated righty Jonathan Hernandez for assignment in a corresponding move.

The 34-year-old Chafin is in the midst of yet another solid season. He’s pitched 37 innings of 3.16 ERA ball with a big 30.9% strikeout rate, a 9.9% walk rate and a 35.8% grounder rate. He’s been particularly dominant of late, rattling off 17 innings of one-run ball with a 26-to-5 K/BB ratio dating back to early June.

That 35.8% grounder rate is an uncharacteristically low mark for Chafin, who’s changed up his pitch usage this year. He’s throwing more sliders than ever before (46.4%) and missing more bats as a result but also yielding more balls in the air and a few more walks than in recent years. Chafin’s velocity is down a bit from its 93-94 mph peak, however, sitting around 92 mph on average this year with both his four-seamer and sinker. It’s possible the change in repertoire was borne out of the diminishing life on those harder offerings. Regardless, it’s been an effective recipe for the well-traveled southpaw, who’ll now suit up for the sixth team of his 11-year career.

Chafin is playing on a one-year, $4.75MM contract, although the Rangers are picking up another year of possible control over him in the form of a 2025 club option valued at $6.5MM (a net $6MM decision after factoring in a $500K buyout). He’s owed about $1.42MM of his $4.25MM base salary but has a handful of incentives approaching that could boost the value of that contract. Chafin would earn a $125K bonus for pitching in his 50th game — he’s at 41 appearances — before taking home $250K bonuses for reaching 55 and 60 games, a $300K bonus for 65 games and a $325K bonus for reaching 70 appearances. The last of those milestones could be hard to reach, but the Rangers will be on the hook for some additional incentives of note, which will all come with a 30% tax given their luxury-tax status.

With Chafin’s acquisition and Cody Bradford’s return from a 60-day IL stint, a Rangers bullpen that has lacked an established left-handed option for much of the season will suddenly have two quality options in that regard. Chafin will join a late-inning mix including Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc. He’s held lefties to an awful .180/.261/.213 batting line this season, and while righties are enjoying more success at .293/.366/.390, they’re not managing much power against the southpaw. In his career, Chafin has yielded only a .234/.313/.361 line to right-handed opponents, though much of that came with a more vibrant fastball and different mix of his three pitches.

The trade for Chafin underscores the fact that yesterday’s trade of Michael Lorenzen to the Royals was less about selling off in the midst of a disappointing season and rather opening space for the return of several other veteran starters (e.g. Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle, Dane Dunning and, further down the road, Jacob deGrom). Much of the cost-savings from that trade of Lorenzen — earning $4.5MM with incentives of his own — will now be reallocated to the comparably priced Chafin.

Montalvo is the more highly regarded of the prospects headed to Detroit. Baseball America ranked him 19th on their most recent update of the Texas system, crediting him with a plus changeup and the ability to spin his low-90s fastball. He’s dominating lower minors opponents, striking out nearly 30% of batters faced with a 2.44 ERA in High-A. Lee is an upper minors reliever who’ll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft next offseason if he’s not added to the 40-man roster. He lost the first couple months of this season to injury but had a 3.98 ERA in Triple-A last year.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the Rangers were finalizing a deal for Chafin. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal confirmed an agreement was in place. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported the Tigers would receive Montalvo and Lee.

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Detroit Tigers Newsstand Texas Rangers Transactions Andrew Chafin Jonathan Hernandez

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83 Comments

  1. ChetLemonaid

    12 months ago

    Bro leaves Detroit every couple years…

    6
    Reply
  2. Simm

    12 months ago

    Guess if there was any doubt the rangers were in there is your answer.

    Reply
  3. Brew88

    12 months ago

    The dude

    13
    Reply
    • El Duderino

      12 months ago

      That’s just like your opinion, man.

      10
      Reply
  4. AlistairC

    12 months ago

    This was a trade to up the Rangers hair and moustache game. The fact he can pitch decently is a bonus.

    14
    Reply
    • labial

      12 months ago

      “The Sheriff”

      4
      Reply
  5. Yordaddy appreciator

    12 months ago

    Paging Dana Brown lol

    Reply
  6. Motor City Beach Bum

    12 months ago

    Chafin is awesome. Sad to see him go. Interested to see the return from a stri g Rangers system. Rocker!!!!

    8
    Reply
    • GoGreen

      12 months ago

      Rocker would be a crazy good get. Let’s hope not for my rangers lol

      3
      Reply
    • ChetLemonaid

      12 months ago

      Bring Porter home!!!

      4
      Reply
      • Go Go Power Rangers

        12 months ago

        Seeing porter involved would be even more surprising than kumar

        2
        Reply
    • dragonfan96

      12 months ago

      He will be back in 2026

      5
      Reply
    • Go Go Power Rangers

      12 months ago

      I would be extremely surprised if Kumar was involved

      3
      Reply
      • Motor City Beach Bum

        12 months ago

        Why? Look at the returns lately for similar pitchers.

        1
        Reply
        • Go Go Power Rangers

          12 months ago

          There’s more than a few reasons. It is a sellers market but I’d hope the rangers aren’t that desperate. Chafin isn’t going to win us the division so I’d hope they don’t gamble away our future rotation for him.

          2
          Reply
    • fathead0507

      12 months ago

      Not getting anything remotely close for a rental reliever that’s not a closer

      2
      Reply
      • Motor City Beach Bum

        12 months ago

        I guess we will find out shortly. He’s not a rental reliever.

        3
        Reply
        • Roogie Tuesday

          12 months ago

          He is absolutely a rental reliever. FA after this season

          2
          Reply
        • Motor City Beach Bum

          12 months ago

          And I was wrong on Rocker although Montalvo looks pretty good.

          Reply
      • Steve Lawrence

        12 months ago

        While I agree, there is a team option for next year, so not necessarily a rental

        4
        Reply
        • Frankhowardlives

          12 months ago

          Agreed.

          Reply
      • For Love of the Game

        12 months ago

        The Tigers wouldn’t trade him if the return was a bag of scuffed baseballs and some salary relief.

        3
        Reply
        • ChetLemonaid

          12 months ago

          And the Rangers aren’t too good at developing SPs, so even a lower lottery ticket would be great.

          Reply
        • GoGreen

          12 months ago

          Chet, you know I was thinking… the Rangers have been able to maximize results from starting pitching in recent years. I agree we lack development, but I also feel alot of that narrative will change once some of the more recent draftees come up.

          Reply
  7. cubfanforever

    12 months ago

    There’s a new sheriff in town.

    2
    Reply
  8. Datashark

    12 months ago

    The Sheriff has aligned with the Texas Rangers. Law and Order is now in place

    5
    Reply
    • Frankhowardlives

      12 months ago

      Yep

      1
      Reply
  9. KhaluChris

    12 months ago

    Knowing Scott Harris – trash return incoming…

    6
    Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      Based on what?

      3
      Reply
      • KhaluChris

        12 months ago

        Based on this trade, and the trash that is soon to come

        5
        Reply
        • Motor City Beach Bum

          12 months ago

          Montalvo looks good. So, not “trash.” Do you ever have anything good to say dude? Harris/Greenberg have for the most part made good trades, other than the Erod mess last year. The Flaherty trade feels light too, although I like both prospects now thst I’ve read up more on Liranzo.

          1
          Reply
      • Skiiggy

        12 months ago

        KhaluChris and Scott are close personal friends and he has gauged the quality of his analytical mind over the course of their relationship. Good thing it’s probably Jeff Greenberg who is doing most of the trade discussions.

        2
        Reply
        • KhaluChris

          12 months ago

          Say something creative and smart like that after the return is announced too, Skiiggy.

          2
          Reply
        • Skiiggy

          12 months ago

          Honestly, Montalvo looks like a pretty interesting prospect with how new he is to pitching and the potential for three plus pitches. Chase Lee, though, yeah you’re right Lee is nothing.

          2
          Reply
        • KhaluChris

          12 months ago

          Thank you. You are an honorable man.

          Reply
      • For Love of the Game

        12 months ago

        Because Chris doesn’t know the name Hao-Yu Lee whom Scott Harris fleeced off the Phillies for 2+ months of Michael Lorenzen.

        5
        Reply
        • KhaluChris

          12 months ago

          I also know the name Eduardo Rodriguez.

          4
          Reply
        • gotigers68

          12 months ago

          Yeah, the great Erie Sea Wolf !!

          Reply
      • thegoat2531

        12 months ago

        based on his inability to do his job properly

        3
        Reply
      • gotigers68

        12 months ago

        This is exactly what I was telling you in the other thread. We got nothing that’ll help the team, in the near future. We were hosed again. I can’t wait to see what we get for Flaherty….

        1
        Reply
        • KhaluChris

          12 months ago

          I think the odds are we’re not trading Flaherty… it’s 5:14. Anybody know if Jack has a no trade clause that Scott Harris needs to know about?

          1
          Reply
        • gotigers68

          12 months ago

          It’s 5:23. I’d rather have him, than give him away. He can pitch tonight’s game.

          Reply
        • KhaluChris

          12 months ago

          Yeah, I’d rather have him too than to accept what Scott Harris is capable of acquiring in a trade.

          2
          Reply
        • Airo13

          12 months ago

          They already played and lost today

          1
          Reply
        • gotigers68

          12 months ago

          Win tonight vs someone who MAY help us in 2028…..

          Reply
        • gotigers68

          12 months ago

          Oh, I saw the score, I didn’t realize that was today….
          OK, he can pitch tomorrow…..

          Reply
  10. MadmanTX 2

    12 months ago

    Looks like the Mad Hungarian. Hope he has his temperament.

    2
    Reply
    • 84LeFlore

      12 months ago

      He’s been getting outs regularly this year, a nice trait for a reliever. He’s also a fan favorite. Blue collar attitude, likeable character… keeps picking Detroit as a FA because it’s close to his Ohio farm.

      4
      Reply
  11. warnbeeb

    12 months ago

    Even if he pitches well, I think the Rangers exercising his option is fairly low. Chafin back to the FA market this Winter and the Tigers can do it all over again for less than $6 million.
    Chafin is one these guys who looks like he can go until he’s 40.

    1
    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      12 months ago

      He has the body of a 40 year old already.

      3
      Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      I would live it if the signed him again the offseason, along with Flaherty.

      1
      Reply
    • tsc32

      12 months ago

      I just don’t see Texas giving up Montalvo and Lee for 2-3 months of Chafin.

      Reply
  12. Clofreesz

    12 months ago

    Unexpected. At least we have a solid lefty that can replace Jake Latz.

    Reply
  13. robster

    12 months ago

    What about the person(s) going back to Detroit?

    Reply
  14. Jgwi2az

    12 months ago

    He was horrible after being acquired by the Brewers at last year‘s deadline

    1
    Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      That was last year.

      Reply
  15. warnbeeb

    12 months ago

    And another thing, these Tiger “bullpen” days, like today, are about to get even worse.
    If they trade Flaherty, Skubal will be the only legitimate starting pitcher on the ML roster.

    4
    Reply
  16. Frankhowardlives

    12 months ago

    Rangers are all in! Now get more more bat.

    Reply
  17. HalosHeavenJJ

    12 months ago

    Between getting some guys to full health and making a few trades, this Rangers team looks quite dangerous down the stretch.

    Reply
  18. Yankee Clipper

    12 months ago

    Heard Cashman is watching the new Deadpool. Will address team needs when the movie is over.

    4
    Reply
  19. For Love of the Game

    12 months ago

    Joseph Montalvo looks like a good lottery ticket. Chase Lee? Meh.

    2
    Reply
    • ChetLemonaid

      12 months ago

      That’s what I was talking about!

      Reply
    • Okie_baseball

      12 months ago

      Pretty much, yeah. Montalvo is interesting but kind of old to be at A level ball.
      Chase Lee is okay at AAA, I have seen him pitch some. Kind of a funky delivery/ deception guy, probably never going to be a mlb bullpen staple or anything

      1
      Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      Maybe Fetter can do something with both.

      Reply
  20. bag o ballz

    12 months ago

    I swear chafin gets traded every deadline

    Reply
  21. Senor Smoke

    12 months ago

    Chafin lives with his brood in a motorhome. In Texas you don’t want to step out the door in the morning without checking under the steps….favorite spot for rattlesnakes. Other than that, I have no idea what this trade is supposed to do for the Tigers.

    Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      I have no idea what that has to do with baseball but thanks for the safety tip 😉

      Montalvo looks like something that Chris Fetter could tweak.

      Reply
  22. Melchez17

    12 months ago

    Does anyone need a starter? Flaherty is well rested.

    2
    Reply
  23. Mustard Tiger

    12 months ago

    Andrew “My Thighs Are” Chafin.

    Reply
  24. warnbeeb

    12 months ago

    Good chance Lee will see Detroit in a few weeks. Tigers are running out of arms.

    It looks like teams are trying to squeeze Harris over Flaherty. I see a final 2 minutes deal that Harris will have to settle for. I am not optimistic.

    2
    Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      I wonder if that is what ended up happening.

      1
      Reply
  25. warnbeeb

    12 months ago

    15 minutes to go and both Flaherty and Skubal are still Tigers. Either nothing is happening (my guess) as the Tigers have no starting pitching after these 2 guys….or something over the top, ridiculous is happening and the Tigers will have 5 new pitchers starting to tomorrow.

    Reply
  26. 84LeFlore

    12 months ago

    12 minutes til 6

    Reply
  27. Motown is My Town

    12 months ago

    Tigers need hitting… 1-hit on Sunday, 5-hit today.. it’s all downhill from here and they’ll be lucky to win 20 more games the rest of the season

    1
    Reply
    • Motor City Beach Bum

      12 months ago

      Time to call up Jung.

      Reply
  28. warnbeeb

    12 months ago

    Jimenez from ChiSox to Orioles. Does that mean the O’s are sending something to the Tigers for a pitcher?

    Reply
  29. 84LeFlore

    12 months ago

    FLAHERTY TO DODGERS

    Reply
  30. Garmo87

    12 months ago

    Post game interviews will be entertaining.

    Reply
  31. MPrck

    12 months ago

    Impressive haul today by Detroit, well done Harris.

    Reply
    • warnbeeb

      12 months ago

      I would not use the term impressive. Better than expected for Kelly and Canha. Fair return for Chafin. Probably not as good as shoulda for Flaherty.

      We’re all armchair GMs here, but honestly, Harris needs to get out front on these trades when guys like Flaherty are involved. He should have been traded sooner rather than later. By the time the Dodgers were ready to commit the market had pretty much been settled.

      1
      Reply
  32. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    12 months ago

    Round Rock has additional. Must not be much at sales in Detroit, they had the goods…..

    Delaying is obviously…..
    a strategy that does not work for Harris & Co.

    Reply
  33. YourDreamGM

    12 months ago

    B for Detroit. Montalvo is a nice arm. Would be A most years.

    C for Texas. Fair and a prospect they can afford to lose. Bargain compared to many of these trades.

    Reply
  34. Senor Smoke

    12 months ago

    This ranks as the most peculiar trade I’ve seen in a long time. Chafin was pitching very well, had an affordable contract, was well-liked in the clubhouse, and had an option year at the same money….so why trade him??????

    Reply

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