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Cubs acquire closer Aroldis Chapman from Yankees

7/25/2016

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The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees completed a blockbuster trade on Monday, marking the second major move of the 2016 trade deadline season. 

According to numerous reports, but first reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Cubs have acquired All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees in a blockbuster deal. 

In exchange for Chapman, the Yankees received the Cubs' No. 1 prospect, shortstop Gleybar Torres. In addition, right-handed pitcher Adam Warren and outfield prospects Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford are also heading to the Yankees. 

On Saturday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Yankees were telling teams that they were close to dealing Chapman. They wanted to finalize the process of getting a deal done. Today, those intentions were fulfilled. ​​

As of Sunday, the Cubs were reportedly asking for an extension with Chapman before pulling the trigger on a deal. He is scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the season. It's unknown if the sides are discussing a deal. 

The 28-year-old left-hander was suspended the first 30 games this season due to a domestic violence incident last offseason but has returned to his former ways since. 

Chapman, who is known for reaching 100 MPH with his fastball quite frequently, has a 3-0 record with a 2.01 ERA and a 44 to 8 strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.93 FIP) in 31 1/3 innings pitched this season. He has recorded 20 saves in 21 chances. 

Chapman will be a good fit for the Cubs. He will probably serve as their closer going forward, though Hector Rondon, the Cubs' current closer, has been phenomenal this season (1.95 ERA, 18/22 in saves).

With this deal, Rondon will likely be converted to a setup man, and he could return to the closer's position if Chapman leaves in the offseason through free agency. 

For the Yankees, this deal does not signify a complete rebuilding effort, but it is more of a retooling effort. Dealing Chapman makes sense purely because he will not be there long-term. And they got some good talent for him.  

Torres, 19, is one of the best prospects in all of baseball and is listed as the Cubs' No. 1 prospect on MLB.com. He has a .791 OPS this season in High-A Myrtle Beach, where he is three-and-a-half years younger than his average competition. 

Warren, 28, has a 5.91 ERA and a 27 to 19 strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.83 FIP) in 35 innings pitched with the Cubs this season. He was just optioned to Triple-A Iowa. 

The thing with Warren is that he was successful while with the Yankees from 2012 to 2015, however. He posted a 3.39 ERA in 289 1/3 innings pitched there, being used as both as a starter and a back-end reliever. He is very versatile. 

McKinney, 21, is a consensus top-100 prospect and was acquired in the Jeff Samardzija deal from the Athletics. In Double-A this season, he has a .677 OPS in 349 plate appearances.

Crawford, 22, is a former 11th round pick by the Cubs who has a .713 OPS at Class-A Myrtle Beach this season.  

--Devan Fink

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