Andrew Chafin, Joe Mantiply Pop Up in Trade Rumors

Are D-backs buying and selling at the same time?

As reported by Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Diamondbacks have "fielded offers" for Andrew Chafin and Joe Mantiply. The Milwaukee Brewers were mentioned as one of the team's interested.  Jon Heyman also mentioned the Cubs and Twins as possible suitors.

While it may seem odd that the D-backs could move Chafin after just trading for closer Paul Sewald yesterday, there is a glaring issue with Chafin's performance this season that may make him expendable for Arizona, (beyond his issues in 9th inning save situations). His left/right splits are exactly opposite from what you expect from a premium left hand reliever.

Andrew Chafin Platoon Splits / Baseball Reference

To be clear, this is likely a one season small sample size fluke, His BABIP against from left hand batters is a whopping .457, indicating poor luck on balls in play. His Career numbers, .654 OPS vs RHB, and .621 vs. LHB are likely more indicative of future performance. But there could possibly be something in Chafin's pitch profile in 2023 that may lead the team to have a low confidence level of a turnaround. 

Finances could also be in play here as Chafin is earning $5.5 million and has an option buyout of $750K. In addition he is nearing incentive bonuses for games pitched. Clearing a couple million of Chafin's money could free up Mike Hazen to absorb salary elsewhere in the pursuit of a starting pitcher.  Buying and selling at the same time is something Hazen has done in previous trade deadlines, so in that context this is not difficult to conceive. 

Meanwhile the team still has lefty  Kyle Nelson, (2.85 ERA , 3.64 FIP in  41 innings) and  has been getting some decent relief work from lefty Tyler Gilbert. In six games, 11 innings, he's struck out 10 batters while walking four. He has not allowed a homer yet.  Five of those strikeouts came in two innings against the Mariners on July 30th. 

The other name in this rumor, Joe Mantiply, has had a hellish season after making the All Star team last year as the D-backs lone representative. Mantiply has had two injured list stints, and when he's pitched in the majors it's not gone well, giving up a lot of hard contact. In 15.2 innings he has a 5.74 ERA and given up three homers, with an .848 OPS against. His FIP is a more encouraging 4.17 however as he's still not walking batters, issuing just one free pass against 14 strikeouts.  Mantiply is currently toiling in Triple-A Reno and has had several poor outings of late. A trade of Chafin could cause the team to give Mantiply one more chance however. 

Stay tuned for the next few hours, as we are just 4 1/2 hours from the 6 P.M. Eastern, 3: P.M. PST trade deadline.