Twins free agent deal proves there’s one person who’ll never become a NY Mets player

This might be the first offseason where fans weren’t actually thinking about a familiar free agent and regular trade deadline fit. From 2020-2025, Andrew Chafin’s 2022 season is the only one spent with one team. He has been a regular floater around the league, often dealt midseason from a non-contender to a championship hopeful ball club. Multiple trade opportunities and chances to sign him in free agency, the New York Mets have never struck up a relationship.

They won’t again. He’s going to the Minnesota Twins on a minor league deal.

The Mets actually have a limited opportunity for a player like Chafin to pitch in the big leagues. While A.J. Minter is out for a month or so, the Mets will need a second lefty in the bullpen. It’s not going to be a guy they’ve passed on at every opportunity.

Andrew Chafin will never be a member of the Mets

Is it a New York thing? In free agency, Chafin has the power to pass on coming to New York. The trade deadline is a bit trickery. The time when he would have made the most sense for the Mets probably would have been in 2022 when the Detroit Tigers held onto him. This was a successful Mets regular season without the luxury of a consistent lefty available out of the bullpen. Joely Rodriguez was their most frequently used southpaw.

In 2024, Chafin could have been a match yet again. The Mets were chugging through a season with Jake Diekman DFA’d and a bullpen relying on Danny Young as their top lefty. He ended up going from the Tigers to the Texas Rangers for two prospects.

He has bounced around every year  In his last three seasons he has pitched to a 3.69 ERA with an exact match in FIP. His 5 BB/9 is troubling while the 10.8 K/9 slightly makes up for it.

Chafin had a 2.41 ERA last year during his time with the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels. He was, yet again, traded mid-year alongside Mets free agent reliever Luis Garcia. The Angels didn’t win with him; the only thing he has in common with Mike Trout.

This time around is understandable as to why Chafin would look for opportunities elsewhere. His best bet to join the Mets is in the absence of Minter with no real opening after. It seems like a “him” situation rather than an “us” this time around.

His trademark facial hair and locks of hair have helped Chafin differentiate himself visually. As a pitcher, he hasn’t been too shabby either. 

Some relationships are just never meant to be. In Chafin’s case, it’s beginning to feel like he’ll need to be the last lefty on earth before he ever wears Mets orange and blue. Even then, what’s to stop the team from finding a righty with reverse splits?