Reds: Top free agency priorities for Nick Krall after 2021 season

4. Nick Krall and the Reds need to sign left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin.

While the Cincinnati Reds upgraded their bullpen at the trade deadline, I was hopeful that Nick Krall and front office would have made more move. Andrew Chafin was available at the deadline and was eventually dealt to the Oakland Athletics. Chafin does have a $5.25M mutual option that he could exercise this offseason.

As I’ve already discussed, Amir Garrett should not return to the Queen City in 2022. But who do the Reds turn to late in games when they need a southpaw on the hill? Chafin has been one of the best left-handed relievers in the majors this season.

Chafin is 1-2 with a 1.67 ERA. The 32-year-old was brilliant with the Chicago Cubs earlier this season, posting a 2.06 ERA and 0.839 WHIP over 39.1 innings. But, the Ohio native has produced even better numbers since being shipped to the Bay Area.

Andrew Chafin owns a 0.90 ERA in 18 appearances out of the A’s pen. Chafin is 2-for-3 in save chances and has 20 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. The southpaw has only two walks in those 20 innings as well. Chafin is an efficient pitcher; something this Cincinnati Reds bullpen desperately needs heading into 2022.

The Reds do have a few of their own entering free agency this winter; namely Michael Lorenzen and Mychal Givens. Tucker Barnhart has a $7.5M team-option as well. Nick Krall will have an interesting task ahead as he attempts to keep the Redlegs in contention for the playoffs this season and into the future.