Instant Takeaways: Brewers Complete Trade For Reliever Andrew Chafin

The Milwaukee Brewers have made yet another trade as the 2023 Trade Deadline winds down. They've acquired left handed reliever Andrew Chafin from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here are some instant takeaways of the move.

• There were reports earlier this morning that the Brewers were interested in acquiring Andrew Chafin in their search for another left handed reliever. The rumors turned out to be true.

• The Brewers had a need for another left handed reliever after Justin Wilson went down with an injury the other day. They were planning to rely on Wilson as a mid-season addition and with his injury, the Brewers had to re-enter the market. With several relievers still on the board, the Brewers jumped at the one they wanted most and landed Chafin.

• Chafin is the third player the Brewers have acquired at the Trade Deadline, joining first baseman Carlos Santana and outfielder Mark Canha.

• This year, Chafin, 33, has a 4.19 ERA in 43 appearances. The mustachioed southpaw has struck out 49 in 34.1 IP, which is giving him the highest K/9 rate of his entire career. He's walking quite a few, with a 4.7 BB/9, which isn't ideal but his ability to miss bats from the left side is what the Brewers were looking for.

• Chafin is making $5.5MM this season and has a club option for $7.25MM next year that carries a $750k buyout.

• It's peculiar that the Diamondbacks were willing to give up a veteran bullpen arm like Chafin when they are buyers themselves and trying to compete in the NL West.

• In return for Chafin, the Brewers gave up reliever Peter Strzelecki. Strzelecki was a rising young arm in the Brewers bullpen that had earned 8th inning duties earlier on in the year but struggled in the role. He ended up being demoted to the minor leagues but recently returned. Since the Diamondbacks are also contending, they need a solid bullpen arm to replace Chafin, and they get a cheaper one in Strzelecki while the Brewers get a proven commodity.

This seems like a solid deal for the Brewers, who needed another left handed reliever. They didn't give up any of their top prospects, only sending out a 28 year old late blooming reliever that had struggled of late. Strzelecki is a righty and the Brewers needed a lefty, while the Diamondbacks wanted a controllable righty, lining these two sides up as trade partners.