On Monday, the New York Yankees traded their flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four prospects. The top prospect in the deal is shortstop Gleyber Torres, and he is joined by pitcher Adam Warren, and minor league outfielders Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford. Many are concerned with Chapman’s incident with domestic violence, which he was suspended 30 games for earlier this season. While it’s a big problem and should not be taken lightly, it’s a great move for the Cubs when you look at it in only a baseball sense.
Although the Yankees have played better recently, they still decided to sell their closer, who is a free agent this upcoming off-season. Looking at the package they received, you have to really credit the Yankees for how they’ve handled Chapman.
This past off-season, the Cincinnati Reds were close to trading Chapman in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, that’s when his domestic violence issue came up, and his price severely lowered. The Yankees swooped in and took a chance at him, but for much lower level prospects. Chapman missed the first 30 games this season, but the Yankees still got two good months of him. With the Cubs desperate to win now, the Yankees traded Chapman for four top prospects, after they only gave up fringe prospects to get him.
To add to the deal, with Chapman becoming a free agent, it’s very possible that he re-signs with the Yankees anyway. It’s impossible to know if that will happen at the moment, but if it does, it’ll be truly perfect management by the Yankees.
For now, it looks like a good deal for both teams. The Cubs needed a lock-down closer as they look to end their 107 year World Series drought, and the Yankees get top prospects while not totally giving up on this season. You can always count on the Yankees to make a splash, but normally not on the selling side.