MLB Trade Rumors: Nationals favorites to land Aroldis Chapman
By Jeff Glauser
With one week before the non-waiver trade deadline, it’s a safe bet that New York Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman will be dealt, with the Washington Nationals a likely destination.
The flame-throwing reliever has been the source of trade talks since shortly after the Yankees signed the former Cincinnati Red to a favorable one-year deal last offseason due to off-field issues that led to him being suspended 30 games.
According to Jon Heyman at TodaysKnuckleball.com, the Yankees—who possess a glut of talented bullpen arms but sorely lack rotational depth—have their sites set on Nats’ starter Joe Ross. However, Washington may be disinclined to move him for what may amount to a rental player.
The Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants have also been linked to Chapman as possible destinations.
The Cuban closer has fulfilled his end of the bargain thus far for New York. As of Sunday, he sports a 2.01 ERA with 20 saves and 44 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. He has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances.
Meanwhile, Ross is 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 95.1 innings this season for the Nats, and will be making his first rehab start Sunday for Class-A Hagerstown after missing time with a shoulder injury.
Neither Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo nor Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman have commented on a potential deal at this time.
If or when Chapman does get traded, fellow southpaw Andrew Miller will most assuredly take his spot back as the team’s primary closer. Arguably the league’s best setup man to date, Miller currently has a 6-1 record with 1.45 ERA and 74 strikeouts in just 43.1 innings through 42 appearances.
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