Yankees, Cubs close to finalizing Aroldis Chapman trade

Chicago originally acquired Warren in an earlier trade with the Yankees that sent Starlin Castro to NY.

The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs were reported to be in the final stages of a trade that would send closer Aroldis Chapman to the National League Central leaders this morning, according to Fox’s Ken Rosenthal.

The Yankees reportedly tried to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Chapman but after he and his representatives said they wanted to test the free-agent market after the season they made a decision to deal him.

Chapman, 28, has a 2.01 ERA with 44 strikeouts and eight walks in 31.1 innings with NY.

From the Yankees perspective, the decision to trade for Chapman could hardly have worked out better. That move alone will help the Cubs close out most games that they lead heading into the eighth. Chapman has 165 saves over the past five seasons with the Reds and Yankees, and his fastball was clocked at 105 miles per hour numerous times last week.

Prosecutors declined to file charges, citing conflicting accounts, and Chapman was suspended for the first 29 games of the season. Chapman’s unhittable fastball has earned him the nickname “The Cuban Missile”. Chapman is the first to go, but don’t be surprised if other big names like Carlos Beltran and Andrew Miller find their ways out of NY soon.

Aroldis Chapman certainly will secure wins for the Chicago Cubs on the field but chances are he and the team will be losing off the field in terms of morality. The 3 players named in the deal that they gave up for Chapman were 3 top 10 prospects in their farm system.

It is not yet clear exactly what players the Yankees would receive in return.

The Cubs are sending reliever Adam Warren along with Torres and prospect Billy McKinney in exchange for Chapman’s services. Current Cubs closer Hector Rondon has 18 saves and a 1.95 ERA and likely would move into an eighth-inning role.

The trade reunites Warren with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

The 21-year-old McKinney is hitting.252 with one homer, 31 RBIs and a.677 OPS in 88 games at Double-A Tennessee this season.

Crawford is a 22-year-old outfielder who is batting.255/.327/.386 with 22 stolen bases at High-A Myrtle Beach this season.