Tigers expected to reunite with left-hander Andrew Chafin

DETROIT — The Tigers have agreed to a deal with left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin, a number of sources briefed on the negotiations confirmed Sunday.

Chafin’s settlement is pending a bodily and is expected to turn out to be official early subsequent week.

The contract reuniting Chafin and the Tigers features a base wage of $4.25 million in 2024. There can be a $6.5 million membership choice for 2025 and extra incentives for each seasons.

In signing Chafin, the Tigers verify one other field off their offseason to-do listing, including a longtime left-handed reliever to what may very well be a powerful bullpen subsequent season. Chafin will be part of lefty Tyler Holton — who had a 2.11 ERA in 2023 — as the highest two left-handed choices in Detroit’s pen.

Chafin made a optimistic affect when he final performed for the Tigers in 2022, posting a 2.83 ERA as a reliever. Chafin, who expressed happiness taking part in in Detroit a number of occasions due to its proximity to his farm in Massillon, Ohio, finally opted out of a two-year contract and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks final offseason. With the Diamondbacks and Brewers in 2023, Chafin went via a down yr. He had a 4.73 ERA, his highest in any season wherein he logged greater than 50 innings. The greatest wrongdoer behind Chafin’s struggles was a lower in strike-throwing. His 4.9 BB/9 marked the best stroll charge of his profession. The pitcher finest recognized for his sinker-slider combo nonetheless struck out 11 batters per 9 innings and ranked within the 88th percentile by way of common exit velocity, conserving opposing hitters to a mean of solely 86.8 mph off the bat. 

The final time Chafin signed with the Tigers, he confirmed up to meet reporters sipping from a can of Mug root beer and carrying camouflage Crocs. A light-hearted and well-liked clubhouse presence, Chafin is now 33 and should show his sturdy fame can maintain up as he ages. 

Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, hinted at trying to find a left-handed reliever this previous week on the Winter Meetings. 

“I think we have some opportunity to add to our pen if we find the right piece,” Harris mentioned. “And if we don’t, we still have Tyler Holton, who is really helpful.”

Clearly, the Tigers considered Chafin (who made $6.5 million the final time he was with the Tigers) as the fitting piece on the proper worth.

And after already buying and selling for outfielder Mark Canha and signing right-hander starter Kenta Maeda, the Tigers’ proceed to cross off their most urgent wants early within the offseason calendar. Detroit may nonetheless be available in the market for an additional beginning pitcher, however a lot of the Tigers’ most evident work is now completed.

(Top photograph: Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports)