MLB: The Four Best Moves of the Winter Meetings

4. Yankees Signing Aroldis Chapman

Something about this deal just makes me chuckle. People have been criticizing the amount of money that the Yankees signed for Chapman. Five years, 86 million dollars is the terms of that the Yankees and Chapman agreed to. With his history of off field issues, and the apparent upcoming signing of Bryce Harper, critics have been bashing the Yankees for this deal. However, after trading Chapman last July for Gleybor Torres, the 17th ranked prospect in baseball, this signing seems so perfect.

The Yankees practically allowed the Cubs to rent their closer for a hefty price. The Cubs gave up one of the best prospects in baseball for a closer they arguably didn’t need. Chapman honestly didn’t even do that well in the postseason. He blew a save against the Dodgers in-game one of the NLCS, and nearly lost the Cubs the World Series. Ultimately, the Cubs gave up Torres for a power throwing arm they probably didn’t even need.

So not only did the Yankees get a top prospect, they got their power throwing arm back in pinstripes. Sure, they paid a hefty fee for him, but they are the ultimate winners of this Chapman sweepstakes. Now they have the power duo of Dellin Betances and Chapman to close games, and could even deal Betances for even more young talent. Yes, the Yankees paid a great deal for a closer, but they also received a great young talent for six months without Chapman.