Los Angeles Dodgers in hot pursuit of Aroldis Chapman
The Los Angeles Dodgers are working on a deal for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
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Cincinnati had reportedly been looking to move Chapman before the Winter Meetings, and seems to finally be nearing a deal to turn their all-world reliever into some talented prospects. It’s unclear who the Reds are targeting from the Dodgers farm system, though one would think top prospect Corey Seager is off limits. That would leave pitchers Julio Urias and Jose De Leon as well as second baseman Jose Peraza as the top three options, and center fielder Joc Pederson has also been mentioned as a potential trade candidate this winter.
With Hisashi Iwakuma reportedly entering the fold next season, Chapman would be the next step in building up a now Zack Greinke-less pitching staff. At face value, adding Chapman would give the Dodgers a dynamic one-two punch along with Kenley Jansen, though one would think Jansen would demand a trade to a team where he can close. That will only add to the intrigue of a potential trade, as teams that missed out on Chapman like the Astros and Nationals will likely proceed to express interest in Jansen.
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Chapman would join the Dodgers in the final year of his contract, as he’s slated to become a free agent after 2016. While logic suggests an extension is improbable for who many consider to be the best closer in baseball, but if there’s a club that has the financial resources to lock up a star like Chapman before he hits the open market, it’s Los Angeles.