After trading Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs during the trade deadline, the New York Yankees have re-signed the flame-throwing closer to a five-year, $86 million contract. Should Chapman choose to do so, he can opt out of the final two years of the contract. The deal also includes a no-trade clause for the first three seasons, a limited no-trade clause for the final two, and the stipulation that he can’t be traded to any team on the west coast.
After serving a 30-game suspension to begin the 2016 season, Chapman was lights out all year, accumulating 36 saves out of a possible 39. Chapman had an ERA of just 1.55, the second lowest of his career, and a WHIP of 0.86. In the postseason for the Cubs, Chapman had four saves and in 15.2 innings, allowed just six earned runs total.
For the Yankees, Chapman should serve as the closer, effectively pushing Dellin Betances to the setup man position, a position Betances held for a little bit last season, recording 28 holds on the year.
If his short time with the Yankees is any indication on how Chapman will perform over the season, Chapman should be lights out as expected. In 31 appearances for the Yankees last season, Chapman had 20 saves and allowed just seven earned runs in 31.1 innings.
The move now gives a little more expectation to the market value of Kenley Jansen, who becomes the best free-agent closer on the market. With both the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers pursuing Jansen hard, his contract should come barely under the $86 million price tag placed on Chapman.
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