Detroit Tigers trade Andrew Chafin to Rangers for 2 pitching prospects

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have traded reliever Andrew Chafin to the Texas Rangers for a pair of pitching prospects.

Chafin, 34, has been rock solid this season after reuniting with the Tigers. He owns a 3.16 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 37 innings.

📄 SUNDAY: Tigers trade catcher to Rangers for 2 prospects

In his past 18 games, Chafin has allowed just one run, 10 hits, and five walks across 17 innings. He’s struck out 26 batters during that span.

The Tigers received right-handed pitching prospects Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee in the deal.

Montalvo is 22 years old and ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the Rangers organization, per Baseball America. He’s 27th on MLB Pipeline.

This season in High-A, Montalvo owns a 2.44 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 19 walks in 59 innings.

Lee is primarily a reliever who will turn 26 years old next month.

He’s only thrown 10.2 innings at Triple-A this season, but last year, he finished with a 3.98 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 63.1 innings.

The Tigers were likely drawn to Lee’s 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings across 150.2 career minor-league innings. But it’s fair to say he’s not much of a prospect anymore.