ANDREW CHAFIN IS OFF THE BOARD

I was really hoping the Yankees would snag Andrew Chafin to bolster the bullpen this season. It felt like a perfect fit—his lefty arm, his experience, and, let’s be honest, with the Yankees' updated beard policy, he would’ve looked fantastic in pinstripes. I’m half-joking, but still, Chafin had all the makings of a great addition to the Bronx.

Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out. I guess all those rumors were either just hot air, or maybe the Yankees weren’t as interested as I thought. Whatever the reason, Chafin is officially off the board.

The veteran reliever signed a minor league deal on Monday, heading to spring training with the Detroit Tigers—the same team that traded him to the Texas Rangers last summer. It’s a bit of a homecoming, as Chafin has already made 105 appearances for Detroit, with 64 games in 2022 and 41 last season before being moved at the deadline.

This marks the fourth time in five seasons that Chafin was part of a trade deadline deal. At 34 years old, he’s got a solid 3.75 ERA over 601 big league appearances spanning 11 seasons and six teams. His experience and versatility could have been a real asset to the Yankees, but instead, Detroit gets another shot to see what Chafin can bring to the table.

While it’s a bit of a bummer for Yankees fans like myself, I wish Chafin the best of luck with the Tigers. Who knows—maybe he’ll be on the move again by the next trade deadline. Until then, the Yankees’ bullpen dreams will have to adjust without him. Oh well.

YANKEES JUST SNAGGED ANOTHER LEFTY RELIEVER!

Just hours after discussing how much the Yankees could benefit from adding a left-handed reliever like Andrew Chafin (Read THE YANKEES NEED ANDREW CHAFIN!), they made a move to bolster their bullpen—this time with another southpaw who could be a valuable asset. It’s an exciting development, and I’m eager to see how it plays out.

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Yankees have signed left-hander Tyler Matzek to a minor league deal, giving themselves another option heading into the season. Matzek played a crucial role in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen during their 2021 World Series run, posting a stellar 2.57 ERA over 69 regular-season outings. He was even more dominant in the postseason, recording a 1.72 ERA across 13 appearances while notching three wins and striking out 24 batters in 15.2 innings.

Matzek recently held a showcase for teams, and it appears he made a strong enough impression for the Yankees to bring him into Spring Training. After injuries limited him to just 11 major league appearances in 2024—none after May 4—this signing represents a classic low-risk, high-reward opportunity. The Yankees are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, and I have a good feeling they might.

If Matzek performs well in camp, he has a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the bullpen. Currently, Tim Hill—who was recently re-signed—is the only left-handed reliever on the Yankees' 40-man roster. For me, this signing provides the Yankees with much-needed depth, and if Matzek can regain his form, he could be a key contributor out of the bullpen in 2025.

THE YANKEES NEED ANDREW CHAFIN!

Remember back in early January when we couldn’t stop talking about the Yankees and Andrew Chafin? It was everywhere—rumors, speculation, excitement. And then… poof. Silence. Like it never happened.

Fast forward to this weekend, and suddenly, there’s buzz about how Matt Moore would be a great fit for the Yankees. That’s when it hit me—what the hell happened to Andrew Chafin? One minute, he was a hot topic, and the next, it was like he vanished into thin air.

MLB insider Bob Nightengale had reported that the Yankees were in discussions with Chafin’s camp. But was that just another classic Nightengale “clickbait special”? Feels like it. Look, the Yankees could definitely use another lefty, even after signing Tim Hill. I have no clue how this will shake out. We all know they were all-in on Tanner Scott before the Dodgers swooped in and stole him.

So, where do the Yankees go from here? In my opinion, it’s time to circle back to Chafin. Or, if you’ve been reading Bleeding Yankee Blue, maybe Matt Moore is the guy (Read MATT MOORE? WHAT HAPPENED TO ANDREW CHAFIN?. Meanwhile, On Tap Sports Net thinks Chafin would be a great fit for the Cubs, writing:

“The veteran lefty is another option for the team to pursue and pair with a solid combo in Porter Hodge and Ryan Pressly. Splitting his 2024 season with the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, Chafin finished with a solid 3.53 ERA. If he can accept a minimal commitment, the Cubs should be calling for his services.”

Bottom line? The Chafin chatter has gone way too quiet. Stay tuned—this story isn’t over yet, is it?

MATT MOORE? WHAT HAPPENED TO ANDREW CHAFIN?

The New York Yankees are putting the final touches on their roster, and when it comes to the bullpen, they've made some serious upgrades—at least on paper. The biggest splash? Snagging Devin Williams from the Brewers. That’s an elite arm added to the mix. They also made a smart move by re-signing Tim Hill, who was fantastic in the second half of last season. Bringing him back was a no-brainer.

But are the Yankees done bolstering the pen? Probably not. For months, there’s been talk about them targeting Andrew Chafin. At this point, though, it feels like a myth—like Bigfoot or a reliable internet connection at Yankee Stadium. We keep hearing the rumors, and yet… nothing. This is why I hate writing about speculation—it’s like chasing a ghost.

But wait! There’s a new rumor. (Because of course there is.) Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicts that the Yankees might pivot and go after another left-handed arm: Matt Moore.

Here’s the deal with Moore: He was lights-out as a reliever in 2022 and 2023, rocking a 2.20 ERA. Last year? Not so much. He got roughed up a few times, giving up homers at an alarming rate (2.0 HR/9). But he’s still probably the best lefty reliever left on the market.

Will the Yankees pull the trigger? Who knows. Spring training is right around the corner, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone keeps hinting that they’re moving forward with what they’ve got. But then again, we were all convinced Chafin was a done deal… until he wasn’t, read HERE.

Bottom line? Matt Moore could be a great pickup if the Yankees can help him harness his home-field success and translate it to the road. Will they go for it? 

Stay tuned. Because if there’s one thing the Yankees do better than making bullpen moves, it’s keeping us all guessing. I fall for it every time.

LOOKS LIKE THE YANKEES COULD BE IN A FIGHT WITH BOSTON

Alright, folks, let’s not dance around it—Andrew Chafin belongs in pinstripes. It’s time for the Yankees to lock this guy down. Last season, Chafin stepped onto the mound in 62 games, struck out 70 batters in just 56.1 innings, and showed he’s still got that nasty edge. Sure, the fastball might’ve lost a smidge of its zip, but don’t let that fool you—he’s a nightmare for left-handed hitters.

Here’s the deal: Chafin is the kind of bullpen upgrade the Yankees need. He’s 34, sure, but that means there’s a good chance the Yankees could scoop him up on a one- or two-year deal without breaking the bank. And let’s be real, every day the market cools, his asking price probably drops a little more. The Yankees can’t afford to sit on their hands here. This is the perfect moment to pounce.

The Devin Williams trade already shook things up, giving the Yankees room to slide Luke Weaver into a flexible role in the bullpen. But they’re still missing one crucial piece: a lefty with swing-and-miss stuff who can handle high-leverage moments against tough left-handed hitters. Enter Chafin.

Now, let’s not pretend this is a no-competition situation. Tanner Scott would’ve been a dream signing, but the Dodgers swooped in with bags of cash that the Yankees weren’t willing to match. Fine. Plan B? Andrew Chafin. The Red Sox are reportedly sniffing around too, because of course they are. NESN’s Gio Rivera even hyped Chafin up as a potential “impact reliever” for Boston in the post-Scott sweepstakes.

And why wouldn’t they want him? Chafin’s stats last year were solid—3.51 ERA across 62 games split between Detroit and Texas. Add in his reputation as a durable workhorse and his glorious mullet (yes, the mullet deserves its own shoutout), and it’s easy to see why he’s in demand. He’s the kind of guy who brings grit to the mound and fits right into a locker room vibe.

So Yankees, don’t let the Red Sox steal this one. Make the move, get Chafin, and let’s keep this bullpen scary for 2025. It’s mullet time in the Bronx.

HOG DODGERS BUY ANOTHER TOP PITCHER

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with free agent closer Tanner Scott on a four-year, $72 million deal, according to Jeff Passan. 

Scott, who was traded to the Padres at the deadline, posted a 1.75 ERA and 2.92 FIP between the two clubs. The Dodgers reportedly had Scott as one of their top targets this offseason.

Bob Nightengale mentions that the Boston Red Sox offered Scott more years at a higher average annual value than the Dodgers, but he chose LA instead. Scott's deal includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred payments, a structure the Dodgers have employed in several deals this offseason, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The addition of Scott likely marks the conclusion of another busy offseason for the reigning World Series champions. Before signing Scott, the Dodgers added Blake Snell, one of the top starters on the market; re-signed Teoscar Hernandez; signed Michael Conforto to solidify the corner outfield; brought in Korean second baseman Hyeseong Kim, extended Tommy Edman; and, in one of the off-season's most significant moves, attracted phenom Roki Sasaki.

While the Yankees were once considered the "Evil Empire" for their lavish spending, the current state of the Dodgers' financial muscle raises eyebrows in my opinion. The sheer amount of money they can spend on players seems unbelievably unbalanced compared to the rest of Major League Baseball. It's almost a monopoly. It's almost sickening. It's almost curious how it's being managed.

In fact, the Dodgers' financial maneuvers could be considered suspicious in my eyes as they continue to outbid and outmaneuver other teams. Their ability to consistently secure top talent is both impressive and perplexing, leading some to question how they manage their finances. It's nuts.

As you know, Tanner Scott was loosely connected to the Yankees, with Bleeding Yankee Blue recently writing about him in an article titled MOMENTUM COULD BE BUILDING ON TANNER SCOTT. However, just hours later, reports surfaced that the Yankees were more focused on Andrew Chafin than on Scott. 

Whatever the case, the Dodgers' dominance in the market is ridiculous. Wow.

YANKS MAY PREFER CHAFIN OVER SCOTT

Interesting developments over the past few hours.

Bleeding Yankee Blue has always been high on Tanner Scott, and for good reason. The guy throws absolute gas, and any team would be lucky to have him blowing fastballs past hitters. But while the Yankees like Scott, recent whispers in the baseball grapevine suggest they’ve got their eyes on someone else. Enter Andrew Chafin, the mustached maestro who’s emerging as a strong candidate for the Yankees’ left-handed relief vacancy. Yes, we wrote about Chafin a bit ago in ANDREW CHAFIN & TIM HILL "HIGH" ON YANKEES BULLPEN LIST. It got really quiet when it came to Chafin, but now it seems to be heating up again.

Chafin’s appeal isn’t just in his facial hair, although it certainly adds a layer of intimidation. The guy’s got seasoned experience and has proven he can handle batters from both sides of the plate, making him a versatile weapon in any bullpen arsenal. This versatility is exactly what the Yankees need right now, and according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Chafin was pegged as a priority target way back in December 2024. Hey, when Heyman speaks, people listen – especially when it comes to the Yankees’ bullpen strategies.

Now, let’s be clear: Tanner Scott is still a stud, but his anticipated price tag might make you choke on your coffee. The Yankees have been savvy spenders and have been near perfect this off season, and they seem to be looking for options that won't break the bank. In comes Chafin, along with names like Tim Hill and Brooks Raley, as the Yankees seek to balance effectiveness with financial flexibility. It’s like shopping for a car—sure, you’d love the shiny sports car, but that reliable SUV looks pretty darn good when you factor in the kids and groceries.

Speaking of Tim Hill, we’ve been banging the drum for him at Bleeding Yankee Blue for a while now. Hill was fantastic for us in the Bronx last year, and we’d love to see him back in pinstripes, mowing down hitters with that funky delivery of his. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve, and we can’t get enough of it.

So, while we have nothing but love for Tanner Scott, the Yankees seem to be playing it smart by considering other options like Chafin and Hill. It’s all about finding the right mix of talent and affordability, and let’s face it, we wouldn’t expect anything less from the Bronx Bombers. After all, they’ve got a World Series to win, and they’re building a bullpen that can help them get there, one smart move at a time.

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.