Cubs Reportedly Trade Andrew Chafin to A’s Pending Medicals (Update: It’s Official)
Earlier this month Jed Hoyer ignited the summer stove by trading outfielder Joc Pederson to the Braves for minor league first baseman Bryce Ball. Tonight, he made a more dramatic move by reportedly shipping beloved reliever Andrew Chafin to the Athletics.
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
Oakland’s deal for left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin won’t be official until the teams review the medicals of the players involved, sources tell ESPN, but if completed it gives the A’s the high-leverage arm they’ve sought. He’s been fantastic. @feinsand and @Ken_Rosenthal on it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2021
Chafin was in his second season with the Cubs after Theo Epstein acquired him from the Diamondbacks last August for the 2020 stretch run. He was injured at the time and made just one appearance last year, but this year he has been a huge part of Chicago’s bullpen, combining with Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrell to shut down the opposition whenever the Cubs had a lead. He was one of baseball’s hottest pitchers earlier this summer, holding opponents scoreless for 24.1 consecutive innings until the Diamondbacks dinged him for a three-spot the other day. He’s 0-2 with a 2.06 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.
This is from the Cubs bullpen tonight, via @realcubsinsider pic.twitter.com/B2lOcM7Reb
— Evan Altman (@DEvanAltman) July 27, 2021
Chafin, 31, signed a one-year, $2.75MM deal over the winter with a mutual option for the 2022 season. Oakland likely views him as a rental reliever for the remainder of the season, and Chafin should re-enter free agency again this winter.
The return for Chafin has yet to be announced, but we’ll have the details as soon as they are available. The two teams are reviewing the medicals of the players involved.
Update: Rosenthal reports that Triple-A outfielder Greg Deichmann is one of the two players the Cubs are acquiring from Oakland. Deichmann was a second-round pick in 2017 and is batting .300 with an .881 OPS this season.
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
Update #2: The other player involved in the deal is Low-A righty Daniel Palencia, who can reportedly through 100 mph and is currently ranked as the No. 12 prospect in Oakland’s system. Deichmann is ranked 9th, so this would be a tremendous haul if it ends up going through.
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
Update: It’s official.
The #Cubs tonight acquired minor league OF Greg Deichmann and minor league RHP Daniel Palencia from the A's for LHP Andrew Chafin. pic.twitter.com/FDljMW0rPV
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 27, 2021
Best of luck to @BigCountry1739 in Oakland.
Thank you for the endless smiles you provided Cubs fans during your time in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/DxjiqYUdYq
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 27, 2021
