Fansided

Top 25 MLB free agents for 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 18: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during Game 5 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, October 18, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 18: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during Game 5 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, October 18, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

4. Aroldis Chapman

In a year where there is only one other proven closer in the free-agent class, New York Yankees All-Star right-hander Aroldis Chapman would be foolish not to opt out of the final two years and $34 million of his contract. Chapman signed a five-year, $86-million contract with the Yankees after the 2017 season that set the new record for biggest deal ever for a reliever. He is unlikely to top that original mark, but can guarantee additional years at a high salary past 2021 by seeking a new deal.

We last saw Chapman smiling ironically on the mound after giving up the game-winning home run in Game 6 of the ALCS. That was only the second time he had allowed a run in 14 playoff appearances with the Yankees, but he could not have picked a worse time to surrender a big hit. Still, Chapman’s performance has been nearly flawless since he re-signed with the Yankees after they traded him at the 2016 deadline. In his 14 playoff appearances, he has pitched 16.1 innings with 29 strikeouts and has allowed only three runs.

The Yankees held their noses and signed Chapman to a huge contract only a year removed from his lengthy suspension for domestic abuse. They, along with the Cubs who traded for him, caught plenty of heat for employing Chapman. Some of the furor over his off-field transgressions has died down — make of that what you will. It’s not necessarily a stellar indictment on the league and its teams, but Chapman served his time and has had no more issues.

Chapman has been one of the safest bets at closer since coming to the big leagues in 2010. The 31-year-old still throws as hard as anyone in baseball and has 273 career saves, six All-Star appearances and a career strikeout rate of 14.8 per-nine. He should be able to find at least two additional years close to his current salary as a free agent.

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