ANDREW CHAFIN & TIM HILL "HIGH" ON YANKEES BULLPEN LIST

The New York Yankees might be gearing up to shake up their bullpen with a splash of left-handed finesse, reportedly eyeing reliever Andrew Chafin as a recent top target. The 34-year-old became a free agent this offseason after the Texas Rangers passed on his $6.5 million option for 2025, and he could be the perfect addition to balance out the Yankees’ righty-heavy relief squad.

Chafin’s 2024 season was a tale of two stints: a solid start with the Detroit Tigers followed by a bumpier ride after his midseason trade to the Rangers. He wrapped up the year with a respectable 3.51 ERA and 70 strikeouts across 56.1 innings pitched—a solid showing despite some late-season struggles. His cross-fire delivery and swing-and-miss stuff make him an intriguing weapon for high-leverage situations, especially when facing tough lefties.

The Yankees are reportedly keen on improving their late-game options, and Chafin could be just what they need. His ability to miss bats is a major asset, but the team might look to fine-tune his approach, particularly his groundball numbers, which have dipped recently. A slight adjustment to his sinker—maybe targeting inside against right-handers and working away from lefties—could elevate his effectiveness even further. That’s a project tailor-made for Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake. 

According to insider Jon Heyman, Chafin is "high" on the Yankees’ wish list for lefty relievers, but why stop there? Another name to consider is Tim Hill, whose sinker-heavy approach and groundball mastery made him a key piece during his time with the Yankees. Bringing Hill back alongside Chafin could give the Bombers a dynamic left-handed duo to keep opposing lineups off balance. Remember we just wrote about Hill in I HOPE THE YANKEES BRING BACK TIM HILL.

In short, this offseason the Yankees aren’t content with “good enough” and I love it. If they land Chafin—or better yet, both Chafin and Hill—they’ll have the left-handed firepower to back up their postseason ambitions. 

Bronx Bombers, meet Bronx Southpaws.