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The Cubs have acquired Andrew Chafin from the Diamondbacks

The Cubs were looking for a lefty reliever, and now they have one. But, there’s a catch.

By Al Yellon
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Cubs have been in the market for a lefthanded reliever. Kyle Ryan’s been the only one on the roster recently, except for Jose Quintana, who is likely headed back to the rotation.

And now, they have one:

With the cost being essentially nothing:

Ah, yes, there’s the catch. Andrew Chafin went on the injured list 12 days ago with that sprained finger on his left hand, and as Jordan Bastian notes, he’s not going to be available immediately.

So... that’s a problem, no? The Cubs get a lefty reliever who can’t pitch. That seems very 2020 to me.

Chafin had not pitched well this year, with an 8.10 ERA and 1.950 WHIP in 11 appearances. Prior to 2020, he had been a pretty effective reliever for the Diamondbacks for six years (2014-19), posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.302 WHIP in 326 appearances covering 265 innings. (That appearance/inning ratio won’t work going forward, not with the new three-batter rule.)

In his career Chafin has held LHB to a .230 BA and .616 OPS, but he’s also been reasonably effective vs. RHB: .246 BA, .696 OPS.

Seems like not much of a deal for a guy who might give you two weeks’ worth of pitching, but what was given up isn’t much, either. Chafin is a free agent after this season.

There’s been no official announcement from the Cubs yet on this deal, so as always, we await developments.

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Andrew Chafin!

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    (74 votes)
  • 23%
    Nay!
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