Tigers Sign Lefty Reliever Andrew Chafin

One of the top lefty’s available is now off the board.

As first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Detroit Tigers have signed left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to a two-year, $13 million contract. Additionally, Jon Heyman of MLB Network has reported that there is an opt-out after 2022.

Chafin would have been a great addition to the Mets bullpen but, instead, the Tigers have added a lethal lefty to their ranks as they continue to make major offseason moves.

It was a career year for Chafin in 2021 as he posted a career-best 1.83 ERA in 68 2/3 innings for both the Cubs and the Athletics. He also had 64 strikeouts and allowed 19 walks with a 2.9 WAR.

Additionally, the 31-year-old also posted a career-best 7.1 BB%, while his strikeout rate was significantly higher against righties. He was also tough against lefties and he’s coming off a season in which he was pitching some of the best stuff of his career.

With his excellent moustache coupled with the face he’s been a solid and reliable Major League reliever for a while now, Chafin would have been a perfect fit in Queens.

It is especially jarring that the Mets didn’t sign Chafin given the contract he has now signed in Detroit, and there is no doubt that the lefty reliever would have shored up the bullpen and given manager Buck Showalter a trusted weapon to lean on throughout the regular season.

Detroit have had a nice offseason so far, including signing former Mets shortstop Javier Baez, and the addition of Chafin is a smart move by the Tigers front office.

The post Tigers Sign Lefty Reliever Andrew Chafin first appeared on Metsmerized Online.