The Yankees initially acquired Chapman for prospects Rookie Davis, Eric Jagielo, Tony Renda and Caleb Cotham last December.
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They’ve had the time of their lives playing with the Cuban closer this season. In their talks with the Cubs, the Yankees would get shortstop Gleyber Torres.
Chapman is probably the only person on the planet who can throw triple-digits every pitch and not have his arm fall off. ESPN tweeted Monday that Chapman had 1,513 pitches at 100 miles per hour or more since 2010, more than the next 18 pitchers on the list combined.
The New York Yankees may still be in the playoff race, but they’re acquiring one of the better prospects in baseball, along with three other players, in exchange for one of baseball’s top closers.
“And between Chapman”s arrival and Chris Sale”s return from his suspension on Thursday, the City Series is already off to a great start, and it hasn”t even begun.
“I’m a huge Chapman fan”, Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said Sunday after a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Chapman will likely have an interest in staying with the Cubs, as the young talent will keep them as a powerhouse for years to come. “He’s been very professional and I hope that not only is he here the rest of this year, but for how many years as long as I’m here”. The pitcher made a one-hop throw to third, where Chase Headley tagged a sliding Williamson. “He’s been as good as advertised and it’s electric when he comes into the game”. The lefty is eligible for free agency after the season. But as the Bombers insist on trying to win with museum pieces named Rodriguez and Teixeira and Beltran and Sabathia, their hopes of advancing into the postseason seem attached to an old milk wagon.
The more that Girardi can rely on everybody in his bullpen, they will be strong going forward.
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“This isn’t a white flag”, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. “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”. The Yankees are now 50-48, 7.5 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and 4.5 games out a wildcard spot. The Cubs are expected to resign Chapman once the season is over which should make this trade pretty equal for both teams.
