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MLB Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs to acquire Aroldis Chapman from New York Yankees

By Dave Stevenson

Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Cubs have reportedly acquired closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees.

Going into the season, the Chicago Cubs were expected to be the best team in baseball. They have mostly lived up to that expectation, but their bullpen has been a consistent area of weakness. After long discussions with the New York Yankees about closer Aroldis Chapman, the two sides have reportedly agreed in principle to a deal that will send Chapman to the Cubs and four players, including top prospect Gleyber Torres, to the Yankees. Pitcher Adam Warren and prospects Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford are also heading to New York.

The Cubs had to pay an expensive price to acquire Chapman, but if they can end their 108 year World Series drought, the price will be well worth it. Chapman is an elite closer and acquiring him should pay off in October.

Torres entered the season as the 41st best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and has likely jumped up in the rankings due to an impressive season with Single A+ Myrtle Beach. Crawford and McKinney are talented prospects, but are probably expendable considering the Cubs’ surplus of young talent.

Meanwhile, the Yankees got a huge haul for someone who they gave up virtually nothing to get in the 2015 offseason. Torres immediately becomes one of their best prospects, if not their best. McKinney hasn’t hit as well as planned at AA Tennessee, but he was still ranked a top 100 prospect before this season by Baseball Prospectus and MLB.com, and becomes one of the Yankees’ top five or six prospects. He’s been struggling, but he’s an excellent talent to take a chance on.

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