LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers have signed left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to a two-year, $13 million contract, a source with knowledge of the agreement told the Free Press.
He has an opt-out after the first season.
Chafin, who turns 32 in June, has pitched eight MLB seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-20), Chicago Cubs (2020-21) and Oakland Athletics (2021), boasting a career 3.30 ERA and 3.18 FIP.
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The Cubs traded Chafin to the Athletics at last year’s trade deadline in July.
For both teams in 2021, Chafin logged a 1.83 ERA with 19 walks and 64 strikeouts in 71 games. He excelled against both right-handed and left-handed hitters, boosting him to an overall 24.1% strikeout rate and career-best 7.1% walk rate.
Right-handers hit .196 against him last season; lefties hit .170.
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The Tigers have added four players to MLB contracts this offseason: Chafin, shortstop Javier Baez (six years, $140 million), left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez (five years, $77 million) and catcher Tucker Barnhart (trade from Cincinnati Reds).
Chafin joins what manager AJ Hinch describes as his winning bullpen.
The high-leverage, late-inning relievers include Chafin, left-handed closer Gregory Soto, right-hander Michael Fulmer, righty Jose Cisnero, righty Kyle Funkhouser and righty Alex Lange.
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