What will the Yankees do with each of their own free agents?
Aroldis Chapman
Plenty of Yankees fans are still seeing nightmares of Chapman serving up a season-ending home run to Jose Altuve in the ALCS, but the reality is that he enjoyed a really good 2019 campaign. There are plenty of teams who would love to have a closer with Chapman’s combination of experience and devastating stuff.
Of course, Chapman has a big decision to make regarding his contract with the Yankees. He has an ability to opt-out this winter and become a free agent. Otherwise, he would be locked into two more years in the Bronx at $15 million per season.
Expect Cashman to exercise his ability to enter free agency. That doesn’t mean he’s anxious to leave the Bronx. It simply means he wants to lock up a lucrative, long-term contract at 31 years of age. It’s likely going to be the Cuban reliever’s last big payday.
The easy thing for the Yankees to do will be to give Chapman the big deal he’s looking for. He’s a bona fide All-Star closer and he allows Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle to handle the late inning in front of him without the pressure of the ninth.
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On the other hand, the declining velocity on his fastball and questionable command with his breaking ball will prevent Cashman from meeting all of Chapman’s financial demands. Don’t look for anything to happen with him quickly once free agency arrives.