However, the move works out in the end as the Yankees gave up four fringe prospects for Chapman and now will receive the Cubs’ top prospect and others. As with Rondon, I don’t think Chapman is appreciably better than Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. Chicago shipped out Adam Warren, Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford to NY in the deal.
Advertisement
In a statement, Cubs’ chairman Tom Ricketts addressed the investigation into a domestic incident that Chapman was involved in this past winter. Interestingly, they also get pitcher Adam Warren. At the time the Reds were trying to unload Chapman – he was under scrutiny from Major League Baseball for an alleged domestic violence episode. Easy because we traded from an area of strength, and we are excited with the players we received for a player who was only under control for two more months..
Chapman, who threw the 62 fastest pitches in the majors last season, was traded from Cincinnati to NY last December after a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell through when it was learned Florida police investigated an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban pitcher.
However, even if they were victims of circumstance to a certain extent, the Reds could and likely should have traded Chapman far sooner and been able to expect a better deal for a team looking to acquire Chapman (a pending free agent after this season) for a longer period of time. This was a nice haul for the Cubs, and this move should make them the favorite to win the World Series. Chapman was accused of choking his 22-year-old girlfriend and firing eight shots in his Florida home. “Finally, my family, this team and Major League Baseball take the issue of domestic violence very seriously and support efforts to reduce domestic violence through education, awareness and intervention”. The Cubs are expected to resign Chapman once the season is over which should make this trade pretty equal for both teams. They’ve begun winning (51-48, 7 out of the last 10), and maybe keeping Chapman meant showing they’re still in the race?
Andrew Miller is a star who remains under contract through 2018, so the Yankees are right to not want to deal him.
Advertisement
“We’re disappointed we swung and missed in our efforts to sign him as an global free agent back in the 2013 class, but certainly you keep your eyes on players you’ve liked in the past and he was definitely a target for us”, Cashman said.
