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MLB rumors: Rangers’ warning on Aroldis Chapman

The Rangers made the first big move of MLB trade season with the acquisition of Aroldis Chapman at the close of. But did they jump the gun?

It was a bit strange that the Royals moved Chapman so early instead of waiting to see the market for him develop a bit further as desperation set in for World Series hopefuls.

Peter Gammons revealed why there was such a rush on Twitter this week.

“Many of us were critical of the Royals trading Chapman long before the market got crowded, but one explained reason was that the KC folks were worried his problems holding runners–in the new running landscape–might diminish the interest from contenders,” Gammons tweeted.

The data on Chapman is certainly concerning on that front. In 32.1 innings pitched, he’s had 37 stolen base opportunities and given up 15 stolen bases. He hasn’t caught a runner stealing yet.

To put that in perspective, Chapman ranks third among MLB pitchers in stolen bases given up. The two pitchers ahead of him are starting pitchers with almost twice as many innings pitched.

Are stolen bases the end-all-be-all for a reliever? Certainly not when he’s maintaining an ERA of 2.23 but it’s something the Royals were apparently worried would tank Chapman’s value.