New York Yankees: Aroldis Chapman Would Love to Return to NY
The New York Yankees might be looking to sign a free agent relief pitcher this offseason. Would Aroldis Chapman like to return?
The New York Yankees might be an active team in free agency this offseason with some needs to fill. One of those needs is in their bullpen. Last season, the Yankees made the decision to trade both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller prior to the MLB trade deadline.
At the time, the playoffs looked unlikely for the Yankees, and they were able to get a lot of talented prospects in return. The decision to trade Chapman was easier than the one to trade Miller, as Chapman is a free agent this offseason.
The Yankees ended up trading Chapman to the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs, Chapman continued to pitch great out of the bullpen, and he also helped them win the World Series this season.
Even though Chapman won a World Series in Chicago, he made it pretty clear that he would like to be the closer for the Yankees again.
“The organization treated me first class,” he said to Ray Negron of NYSportsDay.com, “And the fans were like no other.” He also said, Chicago fans are great but there is something about a Yankee fan that is hard to explain. I asked him straight out, if the Yankees were his preference in the free agent market and he said, “I would love to be a Yankee again.”
The Yankees will certainly be interested in bringing Chapman back, however, they won’t be alone. As the best closer in free agency, Chapman will have plenty of suitors and is projected to land a record deal for a closer.
In recent years, the Yankees have been unwilling to invest long-term, or spend much money for that matter. However, they know what Chapman can do for the team. Last season in New York, Chapman totaled a 2.01 ERA and 20 saves in 21 opportunities.
If Chapman was to return, it would move Dellin Betances back into the setup role. After trading Miller and Chapman, Betances wasn’t as effective as a closer compared to what fans are used to seeing from him as a setup man.
While Betances might be a great closer one day, the Yankees might not want to go into the season with him as their guy. The mutual interest from both Chapman and the Yankees could result in a reunion sometime this winter.
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