The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are discussing a trade that would send Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for the Cubs’ top prospect.
It has been 108 years since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. Everyone knows that the Cubs are all-in for a World Series title in 2016. In order to win that World Series, the Cubs must upgrade their bullpen. They are reportedly talking to the New York Yankees about acquiring closer and former division foe Aroldis Chapman.
Yanks and cubs are working on torres-plus for chapman deal, and hoping to finalize
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2016
The Cubs are reportedly offering their top prospect, shortstop Gleyber Torres. Torres has a .791 OPS, which is impressive for a 19-year-old in Single A. He is ranked 24th in the top 100 prospects by MLB.com. Torres has the glove and the arm to play almost anywhere in the infield and could probably be a solid outfielder as well.
It’s all about this year for the Cubs. For the Cubs to win the World Series, they need a lockdown closer. As many off the field issues as Aroldis Chapman has, he could be the final jigsaw piece to the Cubs’ World Series puzzle. Chapman has a 2.01 ERA with 20 saves this season, good for an unreal ERA+ of 214. His 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings is the lowest of his career, but that’s still good for 12th in the majors. The Cubs bullpen has been a weakness. Getting Chapman potentially turns it into a strength, at least in the late innings.
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