MLB rumors: 5 favorites to trade for Aroldis Chapman
By Josh Wilson
Favorites to trade for Aroldis Chapman: Chicago Cubs
The last time the Chicago Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman midseason, they won a World Series… Just sayin’.
Chapman makes some sense with the Cubs because it would be an easy reunion and the Cubs have every need to shore up the latter innings of their pitching performances. Starters Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele and Drew Smyly have been more than adequate, but the Cubs need relief help. Chicago has a 1.31 WHIP among relief pitchers (11th-worst in the MLB). Starters have a 3.95 ERA, relievers a 4.12, the 10th-worst among relief units.
I, admittedly, had the Cubs higher up on this list originally, but my colleague and insider Robert Murray graded the fit a 3 out of 10. I have to respect the insider’s opinion on this one. It would be fun, but probably won’t happen since there are teams with greater motivation to land Chapman.