Bah, it still doesn’t feel great. Even when it’s a shorter-term guy, and even when everyone in the universe knows the trade is coming … it still doesn’t feel great. Here’s hoping the prospect return takes my mind off of it.
Lefty, mustachioed reliever Andrew Chafin is on his way out:
The Cubs are close to a deal to trade LHP Andrew Chafin, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 27, 2021
Chafin, 31, came to the Cubs last year in a deadline deal, and although he wasn’t all that healthy or effective, they clearly saw something in him. He was a priority re-signing, even in a tight winter, and he took things next level this year thanks to a revamped sinker. His ERA barely topped 2.00, and until his last outing, he was riding a 24+ inning scoreless streak. We all knew he was going to be sought after this trade season, and it sounds like that has come to fruition.
UPDATE: The A’s make a lot of sense given the need and the lower salary, and that’s a solid farm system:
The A’s are on the verge of acquiring left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin from the Cubs, pending a review of medical records. @Feinsand first reported a trade involving Chafin was close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2021
Something to keep in mind before the trade return is reported: the Cubs’ VP of Scouting, Dan Kantrovitz, came over from the A’s. Spent years there. Will know not only the system, but also the staff there. So might be some hidden gem type targets.
UPDATE 2: Some local confirmation that the deal is drawing near. Might just be a matter of reviewing medicals and informing players.
Source confirms Cubs and A's in last stages of completing trade sending Chafin to Oakland, as reported by @Ken_Rosenthal, @Feinsand
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 27, 2021
UPDATE 3: One of the pieces is outfielder Greg Deichmann, a Kantrovitz pick from 2017:
Triple A outfielder Greg Deichmann one of two players Cubs are acquiring for left-hander Andrew Chafin, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deichmann, a second-round pick in 2017, is batting .300 with an .881 OPS for Las Vegas.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2021
Deichmann was an older draft pick, so he just turned 26, but he’s hitting well at Triple-A (.300/.432/.449) with relatively good contact numbers, a great walk rate, and enough power. Ranked 8th on the A’s list in the updated FanGraphs rankings. More soon.
UPDATE 4: Much more on the trade soon, but here’s the second player in the deal:
RHP Daniel Palencia is heading to the #Cubs as part of the Chafin trade with the A's, according to sources.
FanGraphs ranks Palencia as A's No. 12 prospect. Palencia, a starting pitcher who reportedly can hit triple digits, signed with A's in Feb. 2020 & is currently at Low A.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 27, 2021