It appears that the Chicago Cubs are serious about a World Series run. The Cubs, after over 100 years without winning the World Series, are reportedly going all in on New York Yankees ‘ closer, Aroldis Chapman . Acquiring him would go a long way in cementing the Cubs as the National League favorite.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Cubs are among several teams interested in the hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman. The teams who are known to be in the running for Chapman includes the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, and as previously reported by Inquisitr , the Washington Nationals. Chapman is viewed by each team as one of the final pieces to a MLB playoff roster.
The Cubs have been linked to Aroldis Chapman and his teammate Andrew Miller throughout the season. In the middle of June, MLB.com reported that the Cubs were interested in acquiring both relievers in a trade.
The price for a trade of both Chapman and Miller would cost the Cubs promising slugger Kyle Schwarber, according to NJ.com . The Cubs have virtually considered Schwarber untouchable in just about any possible trade. The Cubs have since backed off on their interest in Andrew Miller, while ramping up the intensity on adding Aroldis Chapman.
Because Aroldis Chapman will be a free agent at the end of the season, the price for him will not be as high as it would be for Miller. There is a need for Chapman, as quality back of the bullpen help is a premium. This will create a bidding war between the teams that want him. It is safe to say the Aroldis Chapman is the key to a World Series.
Curiously enough, the New York Yankees have not denied shopping Chapman. They have not confirmed the story either. But they do not want it to become a distraction inside their clubhouse. In Buster Olney’s report, Yankees’ manager Joe Giraldi did what he could to ease any concerns.
“Obviously you’re going to hear a lot of things probably over the next week, and a lot of it still depends on how we do, and what we’ve told the players is you have to block the noise out because there’s going to be discussions and speculation throughout.”
The Yankees are not in the position of contention as the Cubs, Giants, Indians, or Nationals. They also realize they will not be able to keep Aroldis Chapman beyond this season. If they can get two quality prospects for their closer, they will jump at the deal.
Cubs? Nationals? Dodgers? Indians?
Where could the Yankees send Aroldis Chapman? https://t.co/abdqVUWSOo pic.twitter.com/PRvoH0xVcK
— Stadium (@Stadium) July 24, 2016
To the Cubs this might mean they will have to part ways with Jorge Soler and right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease.
Soler has spent plenty of time with the Cubs major league club. He appears to be the odd man out in the crowded Cubs’ outfield. He has a career batting average of.258.
Dylan Cease is currently playing for the Cubs’ Arizona League club. He was a sixth round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. Cease, 20-years-old, is the Cubs’ eighth best prospect , according to MLB.com .
Every baseball season is a about putting together the best team possible in an effort to compete for a World Series title at some point. In the case for the Chicago Cubs, the time to push for the World Series is now and later on down the road.
Many of the Cubs’ past moves were predicated upon this moment they find themselves in. The Chicago Cubs can separate themselves from the rest of the herd, at least on paper. In an effort to do so the Cubs are aggressively pursuing Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees.
Chapman’s new team could be revealed within the next 24 hours.
Update: Reports Have the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees Finalizing Trade.
Cubs close to acquiring Aroldis Chapman, pending an extension, for prospect Gleyber Torres. Clubs haven’t confirmed. https://t.co/S28oyy6qdR
— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2016
According Brian Hoch of MLB.com , the Chicago Cubs are close to finalizing a deal for New York Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman. The reported trade between the Cubs and Yankees should be completed no later than Monday.
The Cubs will send top prospect Gleyber Torres, along with another prospect for Aroldis Chapman. If Chapman is willing to agree to a four-year, $60 million extension, the Cubs and Yankees will have a deal.
[Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images]
