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MLB Trade Rumors: Nationals hoping to land Aroldis Chapman

By Ted Fleming

Jul 18, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) throws to first base to check on a runner agaiinst the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) throws to first base to check on a runner agaiinst the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The two clubs might be talking about fireballer Aroldis Chapman, but Washington doesn’t seem ready to give up top prospects for a half-season rental.

Apparently, the Washington Nationals are not fully convinced that current closer Jonathan Papelbon is the one that will send them to the Promised Land. Why else would they be rumored to be the latest team to join in on the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes, according to a tweet by Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post?

The dynamic of having Papelbon and Chapman being the last ones out of the bullpen would scare any opponent, not to mention any team they would meet in a hypothetical postseason series. Entering their weekend series with the Padres, the Nats were holding down a 4.5 game lead over the Marlins and six over the Mets, however, there is a lot of baseball yet to be played this season.

To get Chapman, Washington would have to dangle some pretty decent players to get him. Unfortunately they are not prepared to send any of their top prospects to the Bronx to get him.

Despite being in his walk year, Chapman is still a valuable commodity and the Yankees know it. They are on the verge of letting everyone know that most of their team could be had for the right price as they try to get younger. New York would be looking for righty Lucas Giolito, baseball’s  No. 1 prospect in the MLB Pipeline. In five minor league seasons the 22-year-old has some impressive numbers (25-13, 2.74 ERA) including more than a strikeout an inning fanning 364 in 338.1 frames.

Reynaldo López is another arm New York would have an interest in as well. The 22-year-old Dominican is ranked No. 5 in the organization and also has the kind of stuff that could be a nice fit in the Yankees rotation with a strikeout-an-inning record.

López could be had, but Washington is not interested in offering Giolito, INF Trea Turner or OF Victor Robles. Other than Robles, all have had a taste of the majors and are expected to be part of the team going forward.

The Nationals have the kind of depth in the minors that could be dangled, but in a competition to land Chapman, with first dibs on re-signing him, they need to decide if it is worth it. Otherwise they could set their sights on another lefty out of the Yankees pen, Andrew Miller, who also has a track record as a closer.

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