New York, New York

Aroldis Chapman expects to be followed by that song 40 to 50 times a year for at least the next three. Late last night, the Yankees announced they'd signed the free agent closer to a five-year deal worth $86 million (with a no-trade clause the first three seasons).
Crazy money? Sure. But then again, all contracts for star players are.
But the Yankees considered him the closest thing to a sure bet. He was effective in his three months with the club last summer -- before they cashed him in for mega-prospect Gleyber Torres and two other players in late July.  Now, his 100 mile an hour fastball returns to the Bronx, where the Yankees plan on him locking down opponents in the 9th inning the way Mariano Rivera (and David Robertson and Andrew Miller) once did.
Credit general manager Brian Cashman with targeting the player that made the most sense for his team. It only costs the Yanks money -- and because Chapman was moved mid-season in 2016, there is no draft pick compensation.
Is this the classic example of, as Joel Sherman said in the New York Post, "Having your cake and eating it, too?" It sure looks that way: the Yankees have Chapman -- who repeatedly said how much he enjoyed playing for the Yankees -- and, for what almost looks like a short-term loan to the Cubs, come away with the highly rated Torres, who in a couple of years could be playing alongside Chapman.
I can't think of a previous example of a club trading a player, getting something in exchange and then re-acquiring the same player months later. Can you?

Comments

Jahn Ghalt said…
When the Yankees signing was still just talk, a Cubs fan friend commented that he would be glad to see Chapman go. I saw Chapman in all his playoff appearances. I got the impression that he didn't relish the pressure - perhaps unfair, but you know how such things are.

The Yankee pulled off a neat trick getting hot prospects for losing Chapman only a few months. Chapman may well be more comfortable with "ordinary" closer pressure.

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