It looks like we can cross one team off the list of Aroldis Chapman suitors.
According to a report by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports on Thursday, the Washington Nationals think that Chapman is too rich for their taste and will instead aim to re-sign fellow closer Mark Melancon, who impressed on the mound and in the clubhouse after they acquired him last trade deadline.
nats believe chapman is too rich for their taste, will aim for melancon. they loved MM in clubhouse, mound
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 1, 2016
Washington is well-justified in their reasoning, especially when you consider how much dough Chapman is supposedly looking for. Melancon is nowhere near the blazing strikeout machine that Chapman is, but he was on par with the Cuban last season in ERA (1.64 to Chapman’s 1.55), WHIP (0.90 to 0.86), and save percentage (92.2 to 92.3).
Melancon has other suitors, but to retain a familiar, cost-effective, high-character, high-talent player is sure to be a desirable endgame for the Nats.
