Andrew Chafin Returns to the Detroit Tigers: A Familiar Face Back in the Bullpen
The Detroit Tigers are bringing back a familiar arm to their bullpen—Andrew Chafin is returning to the Motor City! The left-handed reliever has signed a minor league contract with the team, which also comes with a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training. For Tigers fans, this is a reunion worth getting excited about, as Chafin previously pitched for Detroit in the 2022 and 2024 seasons.
What This Means for the Tigers' Bullpen
The Tigers' bullpen is shaping up, and if Chafin makes the Opening Day roster for the 2025 season, he will join a solid group of relievers, including Tommy Kahnle, Jason Foley, John Brebbia, Will Vest, Beau Brieske, and Tyler Holton. That leaves just one bullpen spot up for grabs in spring training, making the competition even more intriguing.
At 34 years old, Chafin is still a valuable asset, but he's not quite game-ready just yet. His workload hasn't ramped up enough for him to appear in spring training games at this moment, but he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session at the Tigers’ spring training complex in Lakeland on Tuesday. That session could be a key indicator of how quickly he’ll be ready to contribute at the major league level.
A Look at Chafin’s Contract Details
While it's a minor league deal for now, Chafin’s contract includes some noteworthy incentives. If he earns a spot on the big-league roster, he will receive $2.5 million, with additional incentives that could push his earnings even higher. His contract also includes a $1.5 million incentive bonus and a $250,000 assignment bonus if he is traded during the season. With those numbers in play, Chafin’s maximum earnings for 2025 could reach up to $4.25 million.
This comes after he made $4.75 million in 2024, a season where he split time between Detroit and Texas. The Tigers traded Chafin to the Rangers at the July 30 trade deadline in exchange for prospects Chase Lee and Joseph Montalvo.
Chafin’s Performance in 2024: Solid but Room for Improvement
Chafin put up respectable numbers in 2024, posting a 3.51 ERA across 56⅓ innings in 62 relief appearances—41 games with the Tigers and 21 with the Rangers. While his strikeout numbers remained strong, his walk rate was a bit of a concern. Statistically, he ranked in some of the top categories:
-
97th percentile in chase rate (35.1%) – Batters had a hard time laying off his pitches.
-
96th percentile in whiff rate (34.5%) – His ability to generate swings and misses was elite.
-
85th percentile in strikeout rate (28.5%) – He was still racking up Ks at an impressive rate.
-
4th percentile in walk rate (12.6%) – Control issues were a problem, as he issued more free passes than usual.
If Chafin can bring down his walk rate while maintaining his high chase and whiff rates, he could be a key contributor in Detroit’s bullpen once again.
A Well-Traveled Veteran
Over the course of his 11-year MLB career, Chafin has pitched for several teams, bringing experience and versatility to every bullpen he's joined. His journey has included stints with:
-
Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-20, 2023)
-
Chicago Cubs (2020-21)
-
Oakland Athletics (2021)
-
Detroit Tigers (2022, 2024, 2025?)
-
Milwaukee Brewers (2023)
-
Texas Rangers (2024)
Across 601 career games, he has posted a solid 3.42 ERA over 508⅓ innings, proving his ability to be a reliable left-handed relief option. Specifically with the Tigers, he has put up an impressive 2.96 ERA in 105 games, spread over his two previous stints with the team (64 games in 2022 and 41 in 2024).
A Return Close to Home
For Chafin, signing with Detroit isn’t just about baseball—it’s also about location. He lives on a farm near Massillon, Ohio, with his wife and kids, making Detroit a logical and convenient choice for him in free agency. The proximity to home played a role in his decision, and it’s clear he enjoys playing in the Tigers’ organization.
What’s Next?
Now, the biggest question is whether Chafin will be ready for Opening Day. The Tigers will be keeping a close eye on his bullpen session and subsequent throwing program. If he shows he’s ready, he could reclaim his spot in the bullpen and provide a much-needed veteran presence. If not, he may need some time in the minors to build up before making his return to the big leagues.
Either way, having Andrew Chafin back in the mix gives the Tigers more depth, experience, and a proven left-handed arm for the 2025 season. It’s a signing that makes sense for both sides—and one that Tigers fans should be excited about.
The Detroit Tigers are bringing back a familiar arm to their bullpen—Andrew Chafin is returning to the Motor City! The left-handed reliever has signed a minor league contract with the team, which also comes with a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training. For Tigers fans, this is a reunion worth getting excited about, as Chafin previously pitched for Detroit in the 2022 and 2024 seasons.
At 34 years old, Chafin is still a valuable asset, but he's not quite game-ready just yet. His workload hasn't ramped up enough for him to appear in spring training games at this moment, but he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session at the Tigers’ spring training complex in Lakeland on Tuesday. That session could be a key indicator of how quickly he’ll be ready to contribute at the major league level.
A Look at Chafin’s Contract Details
While it's a minor league deal for now, Chafin’s contract includes some noteworthy incentives. If he earns a spot on the big-league roster, he will receive $2.5 million, with additional incentives that could push his earnings even higher. His contract also includes a $1.5 million incentive bonus and a $250,000 assignment bonus if he is traded during the season. With those numbers in play, Chafin’s maximum earnings for 2025 could reach up to $4.25 million.
This comes after he made $4.75 million in 2024, a season where he split time between Detroit and Texas. The Tigers traded Chafin to the Rangers at the July 30 trade deadline in exchange for prospects Chase Lee and Joseph Montalvo.
Chafin’s Performance in 2024: Solid but Room for Improvement
Chafin put up respectable numbers in 2024, posting a 3.51 ERA across 56⅓ innings in 62 relief appearances—41 games with the Tigers and 21 with the Rangers. While his strikeout numbers remained strong, his walk rate was a bit of a concern. Statistically, he ranked in some of the top categories:
-
97th percentile in chase rate (35.1%) – Batters had a hard time laying off his pitches.
-
96th percentile in whiff rate (34.5%) – His ability to generate swings and misses was elite.
-
85th percentile in strikeout rate (28.5%) – He was still racking up Ks at an impressive rate.
-
4th percentile in walk rate (12.6%) – Control issues were a problem, as he issued more free passes than usual.
If Chafin can bring down his walk rate while maintaining his high chase and whiff rates, he could be a key contributor in Detroit’s bullpen once again.
A Well-Traveled Veteran
Over the course of his 11-year MLB career, Chafin has pitched for several teams, bringing experience and versatility to every bullpen he's joined. His journey has included stints with:
-
Arizona Diamondbacks (2014-20, 2023)
-
Chicago Cubs (2020-21)
-
Oakland Athletics (2021)
-
Detroit Tigers (2022, 2024, 2025?)
-
Milwaukee Brewers (2023)
-
Texas Rangers (2024)
Across 601 career games, he has posted a solid 3.42 ERA over 508⅓ innings, proving his ability to be a reliable left-handed relief option. Specifically with the Tigers, he has put up an impressive 2.96 ERA in 105 games, spread over his two previous stints with the team (64 games in 2022 and 41 in 2024).
A Return Close to Home
For Chafin, signing with Detroit isn’t just about baseball—it’s also about location. He lives on a farm near Massillon, Ohio, with his wife and kids, making Detroit a logical and convenient choice for him in free agency. The proximity to home played a role in his decision, and it’s clear he enjoys playing in the Tigers’ organization.
What’s Next?
Now, the biggest question is whether Chafin will be ready for Opening Day. The Tigers will be keeping a close eye on his bullpen session and subsequent throwing program. If he shows he’s ready, he could reclaim his spot in the bullpen and provide a much-needed veteran presence. If not, he may need some time in the minors to build up before making his return to the big leagues.
Either way, having Andrew Chafin back in the mix gives the Tigers more depth, experience, and a proven left-handed arm for the 2025 season. It’s a signing that makes sense for both sides—and one that Tigers fans should be excited about.
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