3 relief pitching targets for St. Louis Cardinals post lockout
![Ryan Tepera #51 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Royals 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) Ryan Tepera #51 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Royals 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fredbirdrants-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1332546547-850x560-55430f0fe858aa005fac0717b17bffa9.jpg)
Andrew Chafin
Andrew Chafin, 31, started the season with the Chicago Cubs before being traded off to the Oakland A’s. Now a free agent, the lefty could be a fun addition to the Cardinals bullpen.
Chafin was 2-4 with five saves in 71 games and 68.2 innings pitched. He threw 64 strikeouts with a called-strike-out rate of 28.1%.
Chafin primarily relies on a sinker that averages 92.1 mph with a 19.1-inch vertical drop and an active spin of 94%. Chafin’s four-seam fastball averages 91.8 mph with a 16.4-inch vertical drop and an active spin of 96%. Chafin’s slider averages 82.5 mph with a 42.1-inch vertical drop and an active spin of 27%.
Chafin, who seems quite the character, could be a good option in certain situations later in the game for the Cardinals. Chafin does possess some good off-speed stuff the Cardinals are attracted to in pitchers.