Report: Aroldis Chapman trade between Dodgers, Reds not done yet
The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, but the deal is reportedly now on hold, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
Early reports had the Dodgers sending two as-of-yet unnamed minor-league prospects to the Reds. According to Sheldon, however, the deal has not been formally agreed upon, and multiple teams could get involved in the potential trade. ESPN's Jayson Stark adds that the Reds have told teams that they have not yet agreed to trade Chapman to Los Angeles.
If acquired, Chapman would give Los Angeles arguably the most dominant one-two bullpen punch in baseball along with incumbent closer Kenley Jansen. Chapman, who regularly throws over 100 mph and topped the 103 mark 32 times in 2015, finished the 2015 season with 33 saves. Jansen, who throws a cutter that reaches 95 mph, picked up 36 saves last year.
Rosenthal reported earlier that the Dodgers plan to keep both pitchers but said that players close to Jansen do not think he will react well if bumped from the closer role.
• CORCORAN: D-Backs spend big, shake up NL West by landing Zack Greinke
Chapman, 27, has a 2.17 ERA with 146 saves in six years in the majors and has 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings during his career. Both he and Jansen will be free agents next season.
