Rangers' trade with Tigers signals they're buying and defending 2023 World Series

Well, Rangers fans, if you thought Chris Young and Co. were mailing in the rest of the 2024 season, you'd be sadly mistaken. While not a major move, the Texas Rangers did upgrade their bullpen after acquiring relief pitcher Andrew Chafin from the Detroit Tigers before the trade deadline expired on Tuesday evening.

For weeks now, the Texas faithful have been curious as to what direction the Rangers would take before the 6 p.m. ET deadline on July 30. As it turns out, the Rangers intend to focus on winning games down the stretch and try to repeat as World Champions.

While not a blockbuster by any means, adding Chafin is no small move either. The southpaw, known for his curly hair and handlebar mustache, is also quite good on the bump. In 41 appearances out of the Tigers bullpen this season, the left-hander is 3-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 50 punchouts in 37 innings of work.

Rangers' trade with Tigers signals they're buying and defending 2023 World Series

Chafin gets a lot of swings and misses as well. According to Baseball Savant, the 34-year-old ranks among the 90th percentile or higher in chase rate (35.4%), whiff rate (34.4%), and strikeout rate (30.9%). Chafin does have a tendency to put runners on base more than most would like, but should be an effective reliever alongside the likes of Jose Leclerc, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates.

Chafin joins another former Tigers player and his battery mate, Carson Kelly. The Tigers and Rangers got together in a trade earlier this week when the former Detroit backstop was sent to Arlington in exchange for Liam Hicks and Tyler Owens.

The return the Tigers received includes right-handers Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee. Even in seller's market, the price tag was not excessive given that Chafin is a rental and will be free agent after this season.

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