One of the top names on the trade market is headed to the Chicago Cubs. The club has landed New York Yankees star reliever Aroldis Chapman for a group of prospects including shortstop Gleyber Torres.
Yanks and Cubs have a deal. Torres, mckinney, Warren and likely 1 more to NYY.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2016
Chapman certainly has some baggage attached to him. He missed the first 30 days of the 2016 season being suspended for an offseason domestic violence incident.
On the field, though, he’s a stud. Chapman has locked down 20 saves in 2016, blowing only one. In 31.1 innings, he’s posted a 2.01 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and an exceptional 12.64 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chapman will be a huge boon for the Chicago bullpen, which currently has only the 15th best ERA in baseball. Chapman figures to slot into the closer role for the Cubs, bumping Hector Rondon into the setup position. Rondon has also been stellar in 2016, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and 11.50 K/9 rate.
From his days with the Cincinnati Reds, Chapman is experienced in the National League Central.
From the Yankees perspective, the decision to trade for Chapman could hardly have worked out better. A deal centered a star prospect like Torres gives the Bronx Bombers a far greater return for Chapman than what they gave for him.