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MLB Trade Rumors: Reds want Aroldis Chapman traded before Winter Meetings

By Kyle Franzoni

Jun 16, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Cincinnati won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Cincinnati won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman appears to be the next big name to be traded this offseason and the Reds appear to want to do it quickly.

The 2015-16 MLB offseason has already seen three closers moved in trades, with Craig Kimbrel, Joaquin Benoit, and Francisco Rodriguez all moved in separate trades. However, with a lackluster free agent relief market, they won’t likely be the last.

The Cincinnati Reds hope to take full advantage of a seller’s market.

The Reds have made no secrets about the fact that they are shopping closer Aroldis Chapman this winter. With the flamethrower hitting the free agent market next winter, Cincinnati wants to recover as much value as they can over and above draft pick compensation. And according to the latest rumor, from C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer, it appears the Reds feel they will get the most value if they move him before December’s Winter Meetings.

The 27-year-old Chapman is a rare commodity in today’s market. Not many arms like his come around and are made available to potential buyers outside of free agency. However, the Reds are in full rebuild mode and the quickest way to get back on top is to inject youth and trim salary. With Chapman in his final year of arbitration and due a big raise from his $8.05 million salary last season, Cincinnati can better spread that money elsewhere than paying it to a closer on a losing team.

In his seventh season with the Reds, Chapman was again lights out in the bullpen, finishing with a 4-4 record, 1.63 ERA, 1.94 FIP, and a 15.7 K/9 rate. He also made his fourth straight All-Star appearance.

Chapman is expected to elicit a heavy return of much-needed prospects for a rebuilding Reds club. However, with only one year guaranteed on his contract, Cincinnati isn’t likely to see a haul the size of the one sent to the Padres by the Red Sox for Craig Kimbrel (four premium prospects for three years of control). Instead, the return package for Chapman will likely fall somewhere in between, with two top-tier, MLB-ready prospects and perhaps a mid-level prospect in the mix as well.

The urgency for the Reds is that they don’t want the window of opportunity to close too early. With three potential buyers already off the market, Cincinnati wants to get Chapman moved before the Yankees swap Andrew Miller and close another door.

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