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MLB: Winners and Losers from Aroldis Chapman trade

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

WINNERS: LA Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers come out as obvious winners in the Aroldis Chapman trade. They get arguably the best closer in baseball and their bullpen has been significantly improved. They also didn’t have to give up any of their top prospects in the deal, meaning that they can still pursue Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins.

Chapman gives the Dodgers an elite eighth and ninth inning combo of Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman. Jansen will likely slide into the eighth inning setup man role, but he’s obviously a viable closer as well should anything happen to Chapman. Chapman is the clear favorite to be the closer. He is lights out amazing and has been historically good at striking batters out and refusing to allow contact.

New manager Dave Roberts’ job just got a lot easier. He’ll have to do quite a bit of learning on the job. It’s nice to not have to worry about the eighth or ninth inning bullpen options. No matter who Roberts goes with between Aroldis Chapman and Jansen, it’s darn near impossible for him to choose poorly. First-year managers without strong bullpens have failed (see: Brad Ausmus and Matt Williams). Roberts has something that none of them had: a strong bullpen.

A dynamic that is worth watching is how Roberts handles the duo. Jansen and Aroldis Chapman are both going to be free agents after 2016. Should be very interesting to see how willing Jansen will be to move to the setup role for Aroldis Chapman knowing how much money closers make. He has to look at Darren O’Day’s alleged contract with the Orioles and feel pretty good about himself, but being a setup man clearly doesn’t get you paid as much as being a closer does.

Next: LOSERS: Washington Nationals

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