Tigers Pitcher Officially Opts Out; Team Made "Mistake" At Deadline

The Detroit Tigers will likely be without a key member of their bullpen for 2023, after left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin officially opted out and became a free agent today. 

Andrew Chafin has opted out of his $6.5 million contract for next season. He’s expected to seek a longer-term deal on free-agent market. pic.twitter.com/sOwjFVjeuP

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) November 7, 2022

The 32-year-old left $6.5M on the table in order to seek a longer-term contract on the open market.  

The question around Detroit at this point is, why didn't they get something for him at the trade deadline?

Tigers shopped Chafin like he wasn’t going to decline the player option. They wanted a little more than rental-type return. Always thought that was a mistake. https://t.co/JdGEyRJWrw

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) November 7, 2022

Tigers beat writer Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic says the Tigers shopped Chafin at the deadline as if he was going to opt in, and asked too much in trade talks treating it like the receiving team would be receiving more than just a two-month rental. Stavenhagen calls it a "mistake."

Chafin had his second consecutive very solid year as a high-leverage lefty out of the 'pen, securing three saves for the Tigers with a 2.83 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 67:19 K/BB ratio, striking out 10.5 batters per nine innings. In 2021, he posted a 1.83 ERA for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's with a 0.93 WHIP.

Photo: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports