A’s near deal for Cubs lefty Chafin

With a clear need for relief help, the A’s are set to add a strong bullpen reinforcement with left-hander Andrew Chafin in a deal with the Cubs, a source told MLB.com on Monday. Neither club has confirmed the deal.

The return from Oakland is unclear at this point, though MLB Network’s Ken Rosenthal reported that outfielder Greg Deichmann, ranked by MLB Pipeline as Oakland’s No. 9 prospect, is one of two players going to Chicago in exchange for Chafin, whose contract includes a $5.25 million mutual option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout.

Chafin, 31, has emerged as one of the top left-handed relievers in baseball this season. In 43 appearances with the Cubs, he’s posted a 2.06 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 12 walks across 39 1/3 innings pitched. Chafin has been tough on hitters on both sides of the plate, though he’s actually fared slightly better against righties, holding them to a .147 batting average as opposed to a .164 average against lefties.