The four-team All-Star was sent to Chicago in exchange for Gleybar Torres a prized prospect at shortstop, Adam Warren a right-hander and Billy McKinney an outfielder. Chapman’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2016 season, so it makes sense the Cubs would try to lock him in for a few more years after sending away four players.
Advertisement
After being suspended for the first 30 games of this season for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy, Chapman returned looking like the dominant closer he’s been throughout his big league career.
If the Yankees still believe they can contend for a playoff spot this year, they still have the tools to do it. Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances remain two of the best relievers in baseball, and they are still wearing pinstripes, at least at the moment.
The Cubs have been interested in obtaining Chapman for more than a month. Its isn’t exactly clearly how this is going to impact the overall reliever market, though we have now seen two significant deals go down, with Chapman and Drew Pomeranz, where the price, in terms of prospects given up, was much higher than expected.
Up until this point, the Cubs’ bullpen was one of the worst in the National League.
Ever since Theo Epstein arrived on the scene back in 2011 there has been a steady hand at the helm and the team has become one of the best in baseball.
The “No-Runs DMC” era in New York City is over-at least for now.
“Obviously, we are aware of the circumstances surrounding Aroldis Chapman’s suspension earlier this season”, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. Aroldis indicated he is comfortable with meeting those expectations.
The 28-year-old Warren was acquired by the Cubs from the Yankees in the offseason, along with infielder Brendan Ryan, in a deal that netted to the Yankees infielder Starlin Castro. “Oh yeah”, Chapman said. My girlfriend and I have worked hard to strengthen our relationship, to raise our daughter together, and would appreciate the opportunity to move forward without revisiting an event we consider part of our past. Keith Law of ESPN.com recently released his midseason top 50 MLB prospects list and ranked Torres as the 26th-best prospect in baseball.
Advertisement
The 27-year-old Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this year. Torres and McKinney are both among the Cubs’ top five prospects, and it’s possible another player will be added to the deal.
