The Chicago Cubs have officially acquired closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees. In return for Chapman, the Yankees netted a package including top prospect Gleyber Torres.
Chicago Cubs Acquire Aroldis Chapman
Chicago had long been rumored to be the landing spot for the electric Chapman. He addresses a pressing need for the team in the back end of their bullpen. Over the last few days, competition heated up for Chapman’s services, with the Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians all jockeying for position to acquire the All-Star closer.
Chapman was acquired by the Yankees during the off-season. However, he missed the first month of the season due to his suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. Since returning from his suspension, Chapman has been his usual dominant self. He’s pitched to a 2.01 ERA to go along with twenty saves, three wins, and a 12.6 k/9 rate.
Chapman teamed with Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller to form one of the most dominant bullpens in baseball. The Yankees were slow to pull the trigger on trading Chapman, as they hovered around .500 for most of the season. Brian Cashman was finally able to trade the closer, as it has become very unlikely the club will qualify for the playoffs this year.
Not surprisingly, the Yankees received an impressive haul for the four-time All-Star. In addition to acquiring Torres, the Yankees also received Adam Warren, Billy McKinney, and one more unidentified player.
Torres was the Cubs top prospect and is the obvious headliner in the deal from the Yankees perspective. However, McKinney is a former first round pick and was the Cubs fifth ranked prospect. Additionally, Warren is no stranger to the Bronx, as he pitched his first four seasons with the Yankees.
As Chicago braces for another run at the National League pennant, Chapman figures to shore up one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses.
Main Photo:
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 24: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees pitches in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on June 24, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Boston (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
