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Red Sox: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

By Gabrielle Starr

Oct 10, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Kyle Schwarber (18) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in game three of the 2021 ALDS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Kyle Schwarber (18) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in game three of the 2021 ALDS at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andrew Chafin
Andrew Chafin (39) Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Sign: Andrew Chafin

Andrew Chafin was one of the best bullpen arms in baseball in 2021, posting a career-best 1.83 ERA over 71 games between the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s. A bullpen that includes him, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck (if he’s not in the rotation) would be beyond dominant.

If the Sox are unsure about current closer Matt Barnes, which it certainly seems like they are, given his glaring absence from the postseason rosters, Chafin could be a good addition; he closed 10 of his 28 games for Oakland and earned five saves. Barnes’ numbers in the second half of the season certainly don’t indicate that he’s ready to be a full-time closer on a contending team, which is problematic, given the lucrative extension he signed midseason.

Since he pitched in the NL for his entire career up to this season, Chafin doesn’t have a lot of experience against the AL East. However, his career 1.69 ERA in nine games against the Yankees is enticing. He’s made four total appearances against the other three AL East teams for a 0.00 ERA against each of them.

If the Sox were willing to give Garrett Richards $10 million for 2021, they can certainly shell out for Chafin.

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