Chafin inks Minors deal for third stint with Tigers
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LAKELAND, Fla. -- For the second time in a month, the Tigers have re-signed a pitcher they dealt away at the Trade Deadline last July. This time, it¡¯s lefty Andrew Chafin, who¡¯s back for a third stint with Detroit on a Minor League deal with a non-roster invite to Major League camp.
The 34-year-old Chafin, who has signed with the Tigers as a free agent three times in four years, pitched in 41 games for Detroit last year before being traded to Texas. He posted a 3-2 record, a 3.16 ERA and a 2.54 FIP with Detroit, striking out 50 batters over 37 innings. He went 1-1 with a 4.19 ERA in 21 games with the Rangers.
Chafin posted reverse splits for the season: Right-handed hitters batted .228/.326/.317 against him, compared with .273/.363/.375 from left-handed batters.
Chafin has always been fond of his Detroit time in part because it is close to his farm in Ohio, allowing him to head home on off-days. He also has been more effective with the Tigers than with any of his other clubs over the past few years.
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Chafin¡¯s non-roster invite will put him in the same camp with right-handed reliever Chase Lee, one of the prospects the Tigers acquired from Texas for Chafin. The other prospect in the package, right-hander Joseph Montalvo (Detroit's No. 16 prospect), is in Minor League camp.
Chafin¡¯s return adds another contestant to an already crowded bullpen competition. While Detroit returned all the relievers from last year¡¯s "pitching chaos" that helped lift the team to its first postseason berth since 2014, the Tigers also added veteran right-handers Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia on one-year contracts.
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The lefty mix becomes particularly interesting with Chafin back. Tyler Holton remains the primary southpaw, but Sean Guenther took on a big role after Chafin left, allowing just two runs on nine hits over 21 innings following his August callup from Triple-A Toledo. Brant Hurter, a valuable swingman down the stretch last year, is another strong option, while Dietrich Enns and Matt Gage are in camp as non-roster invites.