Left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin opted out of his deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday after posting a 0.96 ERA with eight strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville this year, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Chafin signed a minor-league deal with the Reds after being granted his release by the Minnesota Twins, who signed Chafin to a minor-league deal in February. Given the Twins' bullpen struggles, the team should consider reuniting with Chafin, who posted a 3.00 ERA with five strikeouts over six innings with the club in spring training.
Twins should consider replacing Anthony Banda or Taylor Rogers with Chafin
As of Monday morning, the Twins' bullpen ranks 28th among the 30 MLB teams in ERA (5.31), 29th in strikeout rate (18.3%) and last in opponent batting average (.271). Lefties Anthony Banda and Taylor Rogers are struggling significantly with a 9.00 and 5.27 ERA, respectively. The Twins should replace one of those southpaws with Chafin.
Banda and Rogers aren't the only Twins relievers having rough seasons. Righty Justin Topa has a 4.70 ERA and has allowed 19 hits and six walks with just nine strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings. Righty Eric Orze has a 4.60 ERA and has surrendered 14 hits and eight walks over 15 2/3 innings. Righty Cole Sands had a 4.63 ERA and allowed 12 hits and four walks over 11 2/3 innings before landing on the IL with a right forearm strain. Also, 39-year-old righty Luis GarcÃa, whom the Twins recalled as a corresponding move to placing righty Garret Acton on the IL with a right shoulder strain, has surrendered six earned runs on five hits and a walk in two innings across three appearances since joining Minnesota's 26-man roster.
Chafin has proven he can get hitters out with a fastball that sits in the high-80s. Last season, he had a 2.41 ERA with a 25.2% strikeout rate in 33 2/3 innings with the Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals. He has struggled to limit walks over the past few years, but has successfully limited hits while collecting strikeouts at an above-average rate.
Chafin, 35, has spent 12 years in the big leagues. He made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014. Chafin pitched with Arizona for eight seasons, posting a 3.74 ERA with 337 strikeouts over 306 innings before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2020. After spending the 2021 season with the Cubs, Chafin has logged MLB innings with the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Angels and Nationals.
Chafin wouldn't save the Twins' bullpen, but he could be much better than several of Minnesota's relievers.
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