CHICAGO – The Cubs took over Andrew Chafin last summer to shore up the production of the bullpen against left-handers. Chicago is now on the verge of leaving the free agent in relief for at least the 2021 season. The Cubs came to an agreement on Tuesday
CHICAGO – The Cubs acquired
On Tuesday, the Cubs agreed to a $ 2.75 million one-year deal with Chafin, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The Cubs haven’t confirmed the deal, which has not yet been finalized.
Chafin’s pact with the Cubs includes a salary of $ 2.25 million for ’21 and a reciprocal option of $ 5.25 million (or a buyout of $ 500,000) for ’22. Chafin can earn up to $ 500,000 in performance awards in each of the ’21 and ’22 seasons based on the number of games played.
At the close of trading on August 31, during last year’s shortened 60-game season, the Chafin Cubs tumbled off the D-backs to name a player (Chicago later sent minor league infielder Ronny Simon to Arizona). At the time, Chafin was on the list of injured and had a sprained finger on his left hand.
Chafin was activated before the end of the season, posting three innings in four appearances for the Cubs, scoring three hits and allowing one run. Overall, the 30-year-old left had an ERA of 6.52 in 15 games (9 2/3 innings) in his injury-related campaign.
20 years ago, Chafin had been present in Arizona’s Bullpen for more than five years. He has a 3.67 ERA in 341 MLB career games and amassed 291 strikeouts in 274 2/3 innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.47. Chafin has also held left batters in his big league career with averages of 0.230 and 0.616 OPS.
Right now the crowded bullpen field in Chicago is full of right-handed people, so Chafin adds a seasoned south paw to the mix. In addition to Chafin, the Cubs also have an experienced leftist in Kyle Ryan and Brad Wieck. Left-wing prospects Brailyn Marquez and Justin Steele are also on the 40-man roster, but are starters by profession.
