Former Yankees pitcher is unsurprisingly a coveted trade piece

After leaving the New York Yankees, of course, one of their former relief pitchers is receiving early trade interest from teams.

The New York Yankees have never been afraid to make a big splash move in years past. Sometimes, it works out. Others, it blows up in their faces, and they eventually give up on that idea. When that day comes, said big-name player goes to a new team, and they play well. Yankees fans know all too well about players like Carl Pavano and Sonny Gray playing well on a new team.

So it should come as no surprise that another former player is playing at a high level, and is already receiving trade interest.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Kansas City Royals are receiving early trade interest in relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman.

Royals reportedly receiving early trade interest for Aroldis Chapman

Chapman’s second tenure with the Yankees started with promise. But, there were big moments in which Chapman gave up the game-winning run in the playoffs (i.e. Game 7 of the 2019 ALCS vs. Houston Astros, Game 5 of 2020 ALDS vs. Tampa Bay Rays). Not to mention Chapman was sidelined due to injuries.

But last year, Chapman lost his closer role, his numbers weren’t great, and he was sent home after no-showing a mandatory workout for the postseason. The latter of which officially ended his Yankees tenure.

This offseason, Chapman signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Royals. This move would allow Chapman to show that he’s still got it, and gives the Royals a tradable player if they weren’t in postseason contention.

Thus far, Chapman has performed well enough to receive trade interest in May. Rosenthal notes in the article linked above that Chapman this year is averaging a 99.3 mph fastball and an 87.9 mph slider, which is his highest for both since the 2017 season.

In 18 games, Chapman recorded a 3.24 ERA, a 1.320 WHIP, one save, 27 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 16.2 innings of work.

Will Chapman get traded this early in the season? Who knows. But if he keeps it up by the trade deadline this summer, seeing Chapman pitch for a new team wouldn’t be out of the question.