The Dodgers have reportedly acquired Aroldis Chapman in a deal with the Reds.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers will send two prospects to Cincinnati in exchange for the 27-year-old lefthander. The deal is pending a review of medical records.
Chapman finished the 2015 season with 33 saves and a 1.63 ERA. He will be eligible for free agency at the end of the year, and he likely wants to be a full-time closer. The Dodgers may not place him in that role this season, however, as they already have a closer in Kenley Jansen.
Rosenthal notes that L.A. is currently planning to keep both Jansen and Chapman to strengthen the back end of its bullpen, given that the price of starting pitching is so high.
This could be the first of many moves for the Reds, who are reportedly willing to trade anyone on their roster.
As we know, Chapman is one of the most intimidating pitchers in all of baseball. Why else would he need a custom page on the official MLB website? If the Dodgers keep Chapman and Jansen, they’ll have the best setup-closer combination in baseball.
