Yankee fans, did you see this coming?

[Halldan1]

Yankees trade for closer Aroldis Chapman
By Post Sports Desk

December 28, 2015 | 4:24pm

Aroldis Chapman Photo: Getty Images
The proverbial hot stove just got turned up in The Bronx.

The Yankees have traded for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed. YES Network reported the Yankees will give up four non-elite prospects.

If they retain incumbent closer Andrew Miller and lights-out setup man Dellin Betances, the Yankees would have a monster bullpen.

But the trade is not without major alarms. Chapman was involved in an alleged domestic violence incident in October that scuttled a previous trade agreement between the Reds and Dodgers when it surfaced in early December.

As reported by Yahoo Sports, Chapman’s girlfriend told police he “choked” her and pushed her against a wall during an argument. Chapman also allegedly fired eight gunshots in his garage following the dispute at his Miami-area home.

Chapman was not arrested, though more than a dozen officers were dispatched to the scene. The police report indicates the argument stemmed from something the woman found on Chapman’s cellphone, and she fled from Chapman to hide in the bushes.

The hard-throwing lefty, 27, faces a possible MLB suspension under the guidelines of the league’s new domestic violence policy. Chapman is on track to become a free agent following the 2016 season, but a potential suspension may delay his service time clock.

http://nypost.com/2015/12/28/yankees-trade-for-closer-aroldis-chapman/

 

[Piratz]

So potentially a bullpen consisting of Betances, Miller, and Chapman. My God.

 

[Halldan1]

Yankees acquire closer Aroldis Chapman in trade with Reds

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS STAFF
Monday, December 28, 2015, 4:33 PM

Ralph Freso/Getty Images

The Yankees trade for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.

The Yankees pulled off a stunning offseason move Monday by acquiring closer Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Reds.

New York sent pitchers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis, along with infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda, to Cincinnati for Chapman - a four-time All-Star who the Reds had been trying to unload for weeks.

Just last month the Reds agreed to trade Chapman to the Dodgers, a deal that ultimately fell through after the 27-year-old lefty had been accused of domestic violence by his girlfriend. Police eventually decided against pressing charges, citing “insufficient evidence” against the pitcher.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...-aroldis-chapman-trade-reds-article-1.2479000

 

[Halldan1]

If he's cleared and not suspended the Yankees have....

Chapman who struck out 15.74 batters per nine last year, Andrew Miller who struck out 14.59 per nine and Dellin Betances who struck out 14.04. That’s the top three in all of baseball and now they’re together.

 

[Halldan1]

I'm a big Yankee fan but I hope he's clean because this goes against much of what I believe in and have criticized owners here like Jerry Jones for doing.

 

[hallgrad80]

I don't think any Yankee fan saw this coming and it's really so a non Yankee type of move. Hope it doesn't blow up in the Yankees' face.

I guess it's another player that A-Rod will take under his wing along with Castro , DiDi and Severino

 

[Section112]

They will trade one of those relievers for a starter.

 

[Seton75]

Dodgers made a similar trade that they nullified after his crap surfaced. Gotta think they are close on Miller but wanted to get another top flight guy before they move him.

 

[hallgrad80]

Chapman becomes a free agent in 2017 and was arbitration eligible in 2015 and signed a deal for one year a$8.mil. He is also arb eligible in 2016 as well I believe. I personally would flip him and keep Miller who you have for 3 more years at $9mil a year then try to resign him in 2017. Neither Miller or Betances is a problem while Chapman could be based on recent events and remember the local prosecutor said the investigation is not closed but is still open and active. Risky move by Cashman who appears to be handcuffed by a tight budget.

 

[bd98]

Well there's another once-favorite team I can't feel good about rooting for anymore. Basically all I've got left are the Devils. The way things are going I figure Cory Schneider will probably be revealed to be a serial killer tomorrow.

 

[sportsfantatic44]

Yanks look bad here if Chapman gets suspended now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

 

[NYShoreGuy]

Yanks look bad here if Chapman gets suspended now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

why? even if short term good back end edge here, cashman just said intent to keep miller but i would say that he gets moved for a major over pay by another team; reds meanwhile just got 24 years of service time for these 4 guys but i hate these deals much like a-gon to boston because there is not a mlb ready player back

 

[hallgrad80]

Well there's another once-favorite team I can't feel good about rooting for anymore. Basically all I've got left are the Devils. The way things are going I figure Cory Schneider will probably be revealed to be a serial killer tomorrow.

bd98
That made me laugh. The current state of professional sports is that if you're a really good player even though there are personal conduct issues, teams will still go after you if they think you can help them win. And I don't think there are very many exceptions to that.

 

[ponyfoot19]

Hallgrad80, your comment is apropos to college sports as well.

 

[hallgrad80]

Hallgrad80, your comment is apropos to college sports as well.

Sadly you're right

 

[hallgrad80]

Yanks look bad here if Chapman gets suspended now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

44
You're right the Yankees will take a lot of heat but if Chapman is suspended , comes back and he helps the Yankees get back into the playoffs or even win the division, no one will care about his suspension and the party line, just like with A-Rod, he's done his time, he's a changed person and he's a player in good standing with MLB .

 

[Section112]

Now they just need some starting pitching to get to the 7th inning or all of it does not matter and CC ain't it.

 

[Piratz]

I often wonder if we just know about these issues now. That maybe these things were always going on, but just hidden better in a different era and then we look back on the good ol' days more fondly because of it.

 

[Halldan1]

No doubt this was on the horizon and understandably so.



Yankees ‘should be ashamed’ of Chapman trade: women’s group
By Dan Martin

December 28, 2015 | 8:46pm

Aroldis Chapman Photo: AP

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The Yankees’ decision Monday to trade for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is already receiving criticism from a women’s rights group.

Chapman is currently being investigated for an alleged domestic violence incident at his home in October.

“Domestic violence has no place in professional sports of any kind,” Nita Chaudhary, cofounder of Ultraviolet, said in a statement emailed to The Post.

“The Yankees should be ashamed of themselves for acquiring a player with pending domestic violence charges,” Chaudhary said. “Domestic violence is an epidemic in this country and no player, no matter how fast or well he throws a baseball should go unpunished. We won’t allow the MLB or the Yankees to sweep this issue under the rug.”

Chapman could be subject to a suspension under MLB’s new domestic abuse policy, and the league’s investigation is ongoing.

Ultraviolet also protested the possible reinstatement of Ravens running back Ray Rice after video surfaced of him striking his fiancée.

Asked about possible pushback following the trade, Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman admitted there was some concern.

“Certainly there are some serious issues here that are in play and that’s why obviously it’s gonna play out,” Cashman said. “I acknowledge that it’s an area of concern, certainly reflected in the asking price. And there’s risk.”

http://nypost.com/2015/12/28/yankees-under-fire-should-be-ashamed-for-accused-abuser-deal/

 

[Burnsly]

If Chapman does get suspended, I don't believe he's eligible for free agency next year. That could really work in the Yanks favor.

 

[Halldan1]

If Chapman does get suspended, I don't believe he's eligible for free agency next year. That could really work in the Yanks favor.

Must miss approx 40+ games for that to happen.

 

[Fordham_57]

Chapman is due for free agency the summer of 2017. If he is suspended for about 40 somewhat games, that would be extended for another year which would add much more value to trade.

If Cashman aims to keep all three closers, it would shorten games to 6 innings. Yankee rotation is not as bad as some would have you believe. They have a strong young Core Four in Tanaka, Severino, Pineda and Eovaldi with a caveat that they all have some medical baggage. CC is now a 5 inning pitcher and it has surfaced that the yanks are trolling Nova with little interest.

Be interesting to see if the Yanks do indeed trade for another starting pitcher which would make sense. Since Yanks not looking to add payroll, a trade involving the likes of Chapman, Gardner, Nova and/or some of the more elite "untouchable" prospects (Judge, Byrd, Mateo and Sanchez) makes sense if they can get a good young top line hurler they can control for a few years, Jose Fernandez would make a lot of sense.

 

[Halldan1]

Why did the Yankees risk the bad publicity?

Here's why.....


Ace of MLB Stats ‏@theaceofspaeder 23h23 hours ago

Aroldis Chapman had struck out 42.9% of batters faced during his career. The highest rate all-time among pitchers with at least 300 innings.


Ace of MLB Stats ‏@theaceofspaeder 22h22 hours ago

The #Yankees had 29 pitches of at least 100 MPH as a team last season. Aroldis Chapman had twice as many (58) of at least 102 MPH.


Ace of MLB Stats ‏@theaceofspaeder 23h23 hours ago

Aroldis Chapman had held opponents to a .154 batting average during his career. The lowest in baseball history.


Ace of MLB Stats ‏@theaceofspaeder 23h23 hours ago

Strikeouts on pitches of at least 100 MPH in 2015 Aroldis Chapman 71 All other pitchers combined 28

 

[Piratz]

It must be a crazy experience facing Chapman. The guys' like 6'4" and all arms and legs with that long pitching stride. Pumps it in at 100+ MPH consistently.

Nuts.

 

[Hall91]

Guy obviously isn't a model citizen, but Cashman made a calculated baseball move that on paper looks brilliant. I think it's a manageable PR situation if he is suspended/found guilty.