Chicago Cubs trade fan favorite reliever Andrew Chafin

The Chicago Cubs fire sale has claimed another victim, with fan favorite Andrew Chafin being dealt. 

Even though the Chicago Cubs front office has danced around the idea of being sellers at the MLB trade deadline, it appears a decision has been made.

Kris Bryant and the other heavy hitter remain on the roster, but the bullpen is down an arm. More tragically, a Cubs fan favorite is on the move. Reliever Andrew Chafin was traded on Monday night, ending a truly iconic era in Chicago sports.

Chafin didn’t win a title, didn’t break any records, and didn’t really do anything that remarkable. But he oozed North Side energy, from his curly mullet to his Chicago Guy mustache.

When he stepped on the mound you could smell the polish sausage and Old Style through the television. Chafin was a well above-average reliever but he was one of the few very bright spots for Cubs fans in an otherwise forgettable season.

And now he’s gone.

Mark Feinsand started the mourning process for Cubs fans, with Ken Rosenthal confirming the deal moments later.

The Oakland A’s are the destination for Chafin.

The Cubs fire sale was always going to devastate fans, but losing Chafin is truly a blow to the North Side. Few times in history has a guy looked as much like Chicago as Chafin did.

Fans were quick to react to the news by seeing Chafin off with love.

For as much as he was loved by fans, Chafin backed it up on the mound. For a Cubs bullpen that has struggled with consistency over the years, Chafin seemed like a breath of fresh air with an ERA that hovered around 2.00, and until his last outing. He was riding a 24-plus inning scoreless streak, which helped make him such an attractive trade chip ahead of the deadline.