Detroit Tigers: Andrew Chafin opts out and Jonathan Schoop opts in

Detroit Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin declines his option.

One of the dominoes in the offseason has started to fall as the Detroit Tigers now know that Andrew Chafin will be declining his 2023 option. He was mulling things over and taking some time after the season ended to come to terms with a decision.

But it sounds like the Detroit Tigers southpaw has decided that his time in Detroit is going to be coming to an end. He signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract to join the team for the 2022 season with a $6.5 million player option for next season.

However, after 2022, Chafin appears to be moving on, leaving the Tigers without his electric hair and mustache combo. On top of that, he had some elite interviews with the media about his thoughts on data and player development. Always a treat.

Chafin is coming off of a 2022 season where he pitched in 64 games, totaling 57.1 innings pitched. He managed a 2.83 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP and punched out 67 opposing hitters in the process.

His slider was lethal out of the bullpen for the Tigers this season, and ultimately he will head to the free-agent market. Finally, with a new front office being built, Chafin wants to find a team that better fits the culture he is looking for.

On the other hand, he was not the only one who opted in or out on Wednesday.

Detroit Tigers infielder Jonathan Schoop has opted in for the 2023 season.

After falling short in the Gold Glove awards tally for the 2022 season, Jonathan Schoop has opted to stick with the organization for another year. Schoop has reportedly opted in for the 2023 season on the second year of the two-year deal he had signed.

He signed a two-year, $15 million contract. With the second year and second installment of $7.5 million being a player option, he had to elect what to do about it. He will rejoin the Tigers infield for the 2023 season.

Schoop played in 131 games this past season, slashing .202/.239/.322 with 23 doubles and 11 home runs. He was punched out 107 times over 510 plate appearances. The defense was top-tier, and he was able to get the job done with the glove continuously.

However, the offense left some to be desired. He will rejoin the team in 2023, hoping to keep flashing the leather in the Tigers’ infield. With an offseason of changes, it will be interesting to see how Schoop slots in with the team moving forward.

Well, another off-season domino has fallen, as the Tigers now know that Schoop will be returning for the 2023 season with the organization.