Sports
Aroldis Chapman, the former closer for the Yankees, is without a doubt one of the best relievers in baseball. Part of seven seasons were spent in New York by the fireball-throwing lefty. In 315 appearances, Chapman recorded a 24-14 record with a 2.94 ERA, 453 strikeouts, and 153 saves over that span.
In 2016, following an alleged incidence of domestic violence assault, he also became the first player to be sanctioned under Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child assault policy. As a result, Chapman received a 30-game suspension and was demonised by many baseball fans for the things they claimed he had done.
Despite his off-field issues, Chapman remains one of the best relievers in baseball. Pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates right now, the 36-year-old has a 4.00 ERA and 6 saves this season.
According to a September 8 Bleacher Report story by Kerry Miller that mentioned one trade that every MLB team would like to make right now, given the Yankees’ current relief problems, it seems likely that New York would be amenable to a reunion with “the Cuban Missile.”
Miller penned “A Trade of Aroldis Chapman” for the Pirates.
At this point, the Pirates would only save roughly $1.3 million by dealing Chapman away. But why not? After all, that’s more than the majority of the players on their squad are paid.
“Chapman had major issues with walks early in the year (32 BB in his first 32.2 IP), but he has only issued five free passes in 20 innings of work over the past two months, resulting in a 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6.0 K/BB ratio,” Miller wrote.
“Suffice it to say, the Yankees would love a reunion with Chapman right about now.”
This summer, Chapman is expected to become an unrestricted free agent. Even though he is undoubtedly past his prime, the Yankees should think about getting back together with their former closer to strengthen their bullpen’s back end.
