MLB is in a lockout, but fans were given a wild month of free agency before things shut down.
Some massive names switched uniforms, and the league will have certainly a different look in 2022.
But the dominoes aren’t done falling.
Once the lockout comes to an end, there will be more moves made.
Several teams with title hopes for the 2022 season have bullpen woes that have not yet been addressed.
Fortunately for those clubs, there are still some really solid relief pitchers on the free-agent market.
Here are a few of them.
3. Andrew Chafin
Andrew Chafin had a fantastic 2021 season.
He spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, and he posted some electric numbers.
How does a 1.83 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP sound?
The lefty was outstanding.
Andrew Chafin, Wicked 82mph Back Foot Slider…Bend the Knee. 👑 pic.twitter.com/bgs9rwBlj6
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 7, 2021
The only question with Chafin is whether or not he can sustain that type of success.
In years past, he has been good, but never as dominant as he was in 2021.
He entered the 2021 season with a career 3.67 ERA, 3.23 FIP, and 1.31 WHIP.
Which version of the 31-year-old will we see going forward?
2. Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen has spent his entire MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it sounds like that might change in 2022.
The veteran is reportedly “not expected” to return to the team.
“Pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen, the two longest-tenured Dodgers, remain unsigned,” wrote Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. “Jansen, the franchise’s all-time saves leader, is not expected to return.”
If Jansen’s time with the Dodgers is indeed over, he’ll likely make a different team very happy in 2022.
Some folks thought the 34-year-old’s best seasons were behind him, but he proved that notion wrong in the 2021 season.
He looked like his vintage self, pitching to a 2.22 ERA, 3.08 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP over 69 appearances.
Time will tell if Jansen can post numbers like those again next season.
1. Richard Rodriguez
Richard Rodriguez has been one of the most reliable relievers in baseball in recent years when it comes to keeping runs off the board.
Since the start of the 2018 season, he has maintained a 3.00 ERA, 141 ERA+, 3.81 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP.
In the 2021 season, he posted a 2.94 ERA and 148 ERA+.
This guy is the real deal, and it seems like he’s just getting started at the MLB level.
Although he’s 31 years old, he has only pitched in five big-league seasons.
Age impacts all players differently, but Rodriguez could be good for a long time.
The immediate future is what’s most important right now, however.
And it’s probably safe to assume that he’s going to be quite good in 2022.
Wherever the righty lands, he figures to make a massive impact.
It sounds like the Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in a potential reunion with him.
Non-tendered last night by Atlanta, Richard Rodriguez is available. Pirates definitely have interest in bringing him back. We'll see if it happens. Certainly makes sense.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 1, 2021
Will Pittsburgh be his landing spot?
Or will he find himself wearing the fourth different uniform of his career next season?
We’ll get an answer once the lockout ends and things start heating up again.
With all the guys we talked about in this piece, the big takeaway here is that there are still a number of great bullpen arms looking for homes this season.
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