D-backs, LHP Andrew Chafin Reunite On One-Year Deal

Chafin is guaranteed $6.25 million for the 2023 season with a club option for the 2024 season.

Andrew Chafin will be returning to Arizona, where he spent the first six seasons of his career. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Diamondbacks have signed Chafin to a one-year deal. 

Free-agent left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin in agreement with Diamondbacks on one-year contract, sources tell @TheAthletic. The deal, which is pending a physical, is expected to be in the $6.5M range with a chance to increase to mid-$7.5M range with incentives.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 11, 2023

The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro further breaks down the structure of the deal, in which the 32-year-old left-hander is guaranteed $6.25 million. Chafin is set to earn a base salary of $5.5 million and can earn $250k each at 55, 60, 65, and 70 appearances on the season. There is a club option for 2024, with a buyout of $725k. 

Chafin’s base salary for 2023 is $5.5M with a $725k buyout. Can earn another $1M in bonuses ($250k each for 55, 60, 65 and 70 appearances). @Ken_Rosenthal had it first.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) February 11, 2023

Chafin is coming off the best two seasons of his career, in which he reduced his walk rate to 7.5% while maintaining a 25.7% strikeout rate. With Detroit in 2022, Chafin made 64 appearances, pitching to a 2.83 ERA and a 67/19 strikeout to walk ratio in 57.1 innings. He was able to parlay that into a nice guarantee with the D-backs despite waiting most of the winter. 

The 32-year-old lefty was originally drafted by the D-backs out of Kent State with the 43rd overall pick of the 2011 draft. He debuted in 2014, making his only three career starts before moving to the bullpen full time the next season. From 2015-2020, Chafin appeared in 334 games, pitching to a 3.67 ERA (120 ERA+) and a 278/109 strikeout to walk ratio in 257.2 innings. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31, 2020 for infielder prospect Ronny Simon. 

Arizona is hoping Chafin can continue his two-year run of both above-average strikeout and walk rates. If that continues, Chafin could very well help the D-backs build a bullpen that isn't near the bottom of the league in every metric.