*Photo from White Cleat Beat*
Something that would benefit the young bullpen in Detroit is a veteran who is also a reliable leverage option, so they got one. The Detroit Tigers and LHP Andrew Chafin have agreed to a two year, $13 million deal, with an opt out after the first season, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Tigers have confirmed.
In the offseason, the Tigers had vowed to be active on the free agent market to improve their team. So far, they've added to everything except the bullpen, but that changes with the Chafin signing. He is a high leverage reliever who can also serve as a closer to get a few saves in a pinch when necessary. Chafin can get everyone out, holding lefties to a .170 average against him, and righties to a .196 clip.
Last season, split between the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, Chafin ended 2021 with a 2-4 record with a stingy 1.83 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, punching out 64 hitters across 68 2/3 innings pitched, even making 5 saves in 71 appearances, split between 43 in Chicago and 28 in Oakland.
Across Chafin's 8 year career, split between 3 teams, he has a career 12-17 record with a 3.30 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, striking out 355 hitters and walking 137, throwing 343 1/3 innings, with 8 career saves in 3 starts and 409 relief appearances. Chafin has a 1-0 record with two runs allowed in 4 career playoff games.
Chafin is not a reliever that is going to blow you away with his velocity, as his fastball ranked in the bottom 3rd of the majors in velocity and spin rate, per Statcast. He is efficient at getting swings and misses, ranking in the top 11 percent in chase rate, and the top 13 percent in lowest hard hit rate. His slider has also held opposing hitters to a .141 career average.
In the Tigers bullpen, Chafin joins a late inning mix that includes Gregory Soto and Kyle Funkhouser. He also joins Tucker Barnhart, Javier Baez, and Eduardo Rodriguez as key offseason additions for the Tigers.
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