As the Winter Meetings got underway in Nashville, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the Cincinnati Reds traded their All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman in exchange for two prospects. However, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com is reporting that the Reds are still in discussions with multiple teams regarding Chapman. Sheldon reported earlier in the day that there was a deal in place between the two clubs but were awaiting an official announcement.
Sources saying no deal done yet for #reds and #dodgers on Chapman. I’m hearing multiple teams could be involved.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) December 7, 2015
Chapman has been on the trade market since July, and many teams have been linked to Chapman, including the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Chapman was expected to join a Dodgers team that needed bullpen help, and would’ve had two closers in Chapman and Jansen.
Chapman, 27, is known for being a hard thrower, and is arguably the best closer in baseball. He has a career 2.17 ERA with 546 strikeouts in 319 total innings. Chapman was a four time All-Star in six seasons with the Reds.
We have seen in the past that despite deals being reported, those deals do not always happen. Reliever Darren O’Day reportedly agreed to a deal to return to the Baltimore Orioles until O’Day took to Twitter saying that the reports are premature. Medicals have been a reason to why deals have derailed but in this case, Sheldon is saying that the Reds are still listening to what they can get for Aroldis Chapman.
The Reds are clearly in rebuilding mode, and according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, everyone is available via trade. This is definitely a situation to monitor and follow Baseball Essential for all the latest regarding Chapman and other stories at the Winter Meetings.
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