MLB Rumors: 8 Teams In Talks With Andrew Chafin

He's probably the best reliever left on the free agent market, and from all accounts, the bidding is getting intense for left-hander Andrew Chafin. How intense? Andy Martino of SNY reports that no less than eight teams are in on the southpaw.

Lefty reliever Andrew Chafin probably signs in the next few days. The 8 teams he’s talking to includes Mets, as @JonHeyman reported. Mets have liked him, but as with Britton they lean at this point toward optionable relievers. In the mix tho.

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 18, 2023

The New York Mets are one of the noted pursuers, as are the Chicago Cubs, who'd like a reunion with the 32-year-old. 

Chafin was with the Cubs in 2021, and had a breakout season, posting a 2.06 ERA in his four months with the club, before they dealt him at the trade deadline to Oakland. He continued his success in 2022 with the Detroit Tigers, pitching to a 2.83 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a 67:19 K/BB ratio in 57 innings. 

He declined his $6.5M player option at the end of the season, and he'll surely beat that in his next deal, likely to be signed within days. 

The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees are two of the other teams that have been linked to Chafin recently. 

As for the Mets, they've already added right-handers Adam Ottavino and David Robertson to the back-end of their bullpen this offseason, and are now hoping to bring in a lefty. 

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports