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MLB Trade Deadline: 15 biggest names on the market

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field. The Yankees win 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field. The Yankees win 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Aroldis Chapman, RP, New York Yankees

Again, the Yankees’ exact direction at the trade deadline is going to be determined over the next month, but Chapman is their most likely player to be dealt should they sell. The 28-year-old closer is a free agent after this season and could net a huge return at the deadline, when price tags on relievers are typically sky-high.

Since debuting for the Reds in 2011, Chapman has been the most dominant closer in the game behind a fastball that easily registers triple digits on the radar gun on a consistent basis. For his career, Chapman has a 2.20 ERA (1.96 FIP) with an inhuman strikeout rate of 42.7 percent per FanGraphs.

After serving a 30 game suspension to begin this season, Chapman is at it again as a member of New York’s unhittable bullpen trio. The fact that Chapman’s 2.70 ERA and 39.2 percent strikeout rate are below his career averages show just how good he’s been, and any bullpen in the Majors would benefit by adding him.

The Yankees aren’t out of contention yet, but look a lot worse than the Red Sox and Blue Jays on paper. Chapman could return an impact prospect, and the Yankees would have as good of a chance as anyone at signing him next offseason should he hit free agency.

Plenty of teams could take a run at Chapman before the deadline, including the Cubs and Washington Nationals. If New York really falls out of it over the next few weeks, it could also deal Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner, and a couple of members from the starting rotation.

Next: 1. Sonny Gray, SP, Oakland Athletics

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