To the surprise of no one, Aroldis Chapman has returned to the New York Yankees signing a five year contract worth $86 million.
Of course, Chapman was traded to the Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds last off-season only to be dealt to the Chicago Cubs where he helped the team win its first World Series in 108 years.
The addition of Chapman is welcome news for Dellin Betances who struggled in the closer's role after the Yankees dealt both Chapman and Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians. The question is will the Yankees also pursue Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen so he can become the new Andrew Miller. The Yankees are certainly interested in Jansen, but is Jansen more interested in remaining a closer. The Miami Marlins are vigorously pursuing Jansen for that role. If Jansen opts for Miami it would reunite him with both Don Mattingly and A.J. Ellis.
As for the Cubs, they have a new closer in Wade Davis who they acquired from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for outfielder Jorge Soler. After mixed success as a starting pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays, Davis excelled as both a setup man and a closer with the Royals as a part of back to back AL pennant winners in 2014 and 2015 and a World Series ring last year. However, Davis was placed on the DL twice in 2016 with a forearm strain. Is this a temporary setback or a harbinger of things to come? Davis' reunion with Joe Maddon might not be such a happy one.
I have a feeling that the Yankees will be getting more relief than the Cubs in 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment