New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman could be the next big trade chip on the move, and the Washington Nationals are among the teams trying for him, and hopeful.
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Reports indicate that the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Indians are among the teams interested in acquiring Chapman.
According to FOX Sports’ senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are telling teams they are close to trading Chapman and will hold on to fellow reliever Andrew Miller.
There is no immediate timetable for a Chapman trade, though any deal would presumably need to be completed by the August 1 trade deadline.
Chapman, 28, is one of the more established relievers available after Fernando Rodney and Brad Ziegler were both traded earlier this summer. Over 31 1/3 innings this year, Chapman has pitched to a 2.01 ERA while notching 12.64 strikeouts and walking 2.3 batters per nine innings, and converting 20 of 21 save chances. The Yankees are a game over five-hundred and seven and a half games behind the Orioles in the American League East and might not be open to selling as a result.
It would make sense for the Yankees to unload Chapman soon to maximize the return for him, though the club’s current winning streak might make them rethink selling.
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Miller could bring a lot in the way of a trade, because of his talent and his controllable contract, which runs through the 2018 season.
