Over the past half-decade, Andrew Chafin has been the definition of a journeyman reliever-an arm-for-hire with postseason aspirations attached. From 2020 through 2025, the only season he spent entirely with one team was in 2022.
Otherwise, he’s been a regular on the trade deadline carousel, moving from rebuilding squads to contenders looking for that extra bullpen edge. But one team that’s consistently stayed out of the mix?
The New York Mets.
And that streak continues. Chafin is headed to the Minnesota Twins on a minor league deal.
For the Mets, this latest move isn’t all that surprising. Despite a current window of opportunity-A.J.
Minter is expected to miss about a month, leaving the bullpen light on left-handed options-Chafin still won’t be the guy they turn to. He’s been available multiple times, both via trade and free agency, and the Mets have never pulled the trigger.
That says a lot.
The Mets and Chafin: A Connection That Never Was
There’s always been a bit of a “will they, won’t they” with Chafin and the Mets, but it’s never materialized into anything more than speculation. Could it be a New York thing?
Possibly. Chafin has had the freedom to choose his destination in free agency, and maybe the bright lights of Citi Field never appealed to him.
But trades are a different story-players don’t get a vote there. And still, the stars never aligned.
Back in 2022, the Mets were in the thick of a strong regular season but lacked a consistent lefty out of the pen. Joely Rodríguez was their primary southpaw, and while serviceable, he didn’t exactly lock down the role.
That was the year Chafin, then with the Tigers, would’ve made a ton of sense. But Detroit held onto him, and the Mets moved forward without making a deal.
Fast forward to 2024, and the story repeated itself. The Mets were scraping by with Jake Diekman-who was eventually DFA’d-and leaning heavily on Danny Young as their top left-handed option.
Chafin was again available, and again, he went elsewhere. This time, he was dealt from Detroit to the Texas Rangers in exchange for two prospects.
What Chafin Brings to the Table
Chafin’s numbers over the last three seasons paint the picture of a dependable, if occasionally erratic, bullpen arm. He’s posted a 3.69 ERA with a matching FIP, a solid baseline for a reliever bouncing between teams and roles. His 10.8 K/9 shows he can miss bats, but the 5.0 BB/9 is a red flag-command has always been the swing factor in his outings.
Last season, he actually put together one of his better campaigns, finishing with a 2.41 ERA across stints with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels. True to form, he was traded midseason-this time alongside Luis Garcia, a reliever the Mets did bring in. Chafin’s Angels run didn’t lead to a playoff push, but that’s been the story of his career: solid individual performance, limited team success.
Why It Still Doesn’t Happen in Queens
This time around, the fit isn’t completely off. With Minter sidelined, there’s a temporary opening for a second lefty in the Mets bullpen.
But even now, Chafin isn’t the answer. Whether it’s a matter of mutual disinterest or the Mets simply preferring other options, the door remains closed.
And maybe that’s just how it’s going to be. Sometimes, a player and a franchise just never cross paths, no matter how many times the opportunity presents itself. For Chafin, the Mets seem to be that white whale-or maybe more accurately, the ship that always sails just out of reach.
His trademark look-flowing hair, thick facial hair, and all-has made him one of the more recognizable relievers in the league. And on the mound, he’s been more than just a sideshow. He’s carved out a respectable career as a lefty who can get big outs, even if the command occasionally wavers.
But at this point, it feels like Chafin would have to be the last lefty on earth before he ever suits up in Mets orange and blue. And even then, with the way things have gone, you wouldn’t be shocked if the Mets found a righty with reverse splits instead.
Some pairings just aren’t meant to be.