MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers acquire Aroldis Chapman from Reds
The Los Angeles Dodgers may have missed on starting pitching thus far this winter, but they just reeled in the biggest reliever on the market in Aroldis Chapman.
The Cincinnati Reds came into the MLB Winter Meetings with full intention of trading closer Aroldis Chapman before departing Nashville. It seems they got that taken care of on the first full day of the meetings.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired Chapman from the Reds in exchange for a pair of prospects.
BREAKING: #Dodgers agree to acquire Chapman from #Reds for two prospects. Deal is pending review of medical records, sources say.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
This is a far cry from the package that the Red Sox sent to the San Diego Padres in exchange for closer Craig Kimbrel, but judging by the depth of the farm system for the Dodgers, it could still be a significant win for the Reds. That said, we know that the return will not include any of Corey Seager, Julio Urias, or Jose De Leon.
Chapman deal is agreed to with dodgers. 2 prospects to reds. (not seager, urias or deleon). Pending medicals
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2015
Chapman is in the final year of his current deal and is set to hit free agency after the 2016 season. That said, the Dodgers couldn’t pass up a chance to create the best one-two bullpen punch in baseball by having Chapman and Kenley Jensen. The two were a combined 6-5 with 69 saves and 196 strike-outs in 2015.
Los Angeles could also take advantage of a market inefficiency and flip Jansen in a second deal. Jansen is also a free agent at the end of the season and the Dodgers may be hard pressed to sign both of them to the contracts that they both will be looking for next winter. Considering Jansen has excelled in the role for Los Angeles, the team may need to make such a move to make him happy in the short-term, as noted by Ken Rosenthal.
Players who know Jansen do not believe he would react well if he lost closer’s job with #Dodgers set to acquire Chapman. Stay tuned.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
Regardless, this was a move the Dodgers needed to make. At the very least, it indicates the team is at least being aggressive after being out-maneuvered thus far this winter. Los Angeles will now turn its attention toward acquiring a much needed starter to slate in behind Clayton Kershaw.