Detroit Tigers: 3 offseason misses that really hurt

Not resigning LHP Andrew Chafin

The Detroit Tigers signed Chafin to a two-year, $13 million deal last offseason. There was an opt-out after the first season, which Chafin used after a great year out of the Tigers bullpen in 2022. He had a 2.83 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 57.1 innings pitched.

He was by far the best left-handed reliever on the market this offseason, so it was surprising to see him still unsigned well into February. He ended up signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year, $5.5 million deal—less than the $6.5 million he would have been paid had he stayed in Detroit.

He has been outstanding for the D-backs to start the year, having yet to allow a run in seven innings of work. He also has 10 strikeouts in that frame. All for less than what the Tigers would have paid him.

Having both Chafin and Fulmer in this bullpen would make a huge difference. Even one of them would have went a long way. Not adding at least one of these bullpen arms is the move that hurts the most.