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MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Aroldis Chapman

By Joshua Sadlock

Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks were one of the splashiest teams in free agency last winter, signing Zack Greinke and trading for Shelby Miller. While they were doing that, they were also making a run at Aroldis Chapman. Whether it was the depletion of the farm system to trade for Miller or uneasiness over Chapman’s actions, the Diamondbacks did not make a trade for the closer.

Arizona turned into one of the league’s biggest disappointments in 2016. Greinke struggled to match his performance in LA, and Miller was one of the game’s biggest disasters. The former Brave went 3-12 with a 6.15 ERA and spent a large part of the year in the minor leagues. The Diamondbacks limped to a 69-93 finish which cost manager Chip Hale his job.

Offensively, Arizona remained one of the best teams in the league, but their entire pitching staff was an unmitigated disaster. The team’s 5.05 ERA managed to be worse than the Colorado Rockies’ — quite an embarrassing feat. Closer Brad Ziegler was traded to the Boston Red Sox in early July, leaving a huge void for the D-Backs going forward.

For the amount of money ownership has sunk into this team, they can’t afford to stop spending now. With one of the better TV deals in the league and many young hitters on team-friendly contracts, there should still be money to spend in the desert. The Diamondbacks emerged as a surprise contender to land Greinke last winter, and they may do the same with Chapman this offseason.

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