Though the rotation is a more obvious area of need in Los Angeles, the Dodgers have nonetheless checked in on Aroldis Chapman, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. L.A. has recently been connected to Darren O’Day as well, and Heyman writes that they’re “very determined” to upgrade their bullpen however they can.
The Dodgers already possess one of baseball’s best closers in the form of Kenley Jansen It’s understandable that they’d be perhaps interested in acquiring help at the back end of the ’pen because Jansen is a free agent next season, but so, too, is Chapman, thus making it a bit more of a questionable fit than a closer with more team control (e.g. Ken Giles, who is also rumored to be available).
Jansen and Chapman would, however, represent perhaps the most dominant late-inning duo in all of Major League Baseball, albeit at a highly premium cost. Chapman projects to earn $12.9MM this winter in his final offseason of arbitration eligibility, while Jansen is projected at a slightly more affordable (but still expensive, relative to his peers) salary of $11.4MM. The Dodgers typically operate with less regard for finances than any other club, however, so the notion of spending nearly $25MM on two relievers in a single season isn’t as outlandish for them as it would be another team.
Heyman does note that the Dodgers’ level of interest in Chapman isn’t yet known, though Chapman isn’t the type of player a team would kick the tires on in hopes of landing him at a bargain rate; president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, GM Farhan Zaidi and the rest of the staff know full well that Chapman will be moved for a relatively steep price. The Reds reportedly are seeking controllable, MLB-ready talent in exchange for Chapman, and Cincinnati president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty recently expressed hope that the Reds will get a trade worked out prior to the Winter Meetings, which begin in two weeks.
Ehhh Just due diligence I assume. I think the Dodgers have a lot more needs than a high priced closer for 1 year potentially.
Don’t see many dodgers game but wasn’t bullpen a major issue?
Having Chapman along with Jansen would allow them to manage one of the two in the manner the Yankees utilize Betances, a QS potentially turns into those 2 finishing the remainder, a 5 inning start opens the possibility of it only being a 1 inning game outside of those 2. With both near Free agency I don’t think the dodgers would have problem using either as a inning plus role.
the pen was an issue, sure. it’d be great to have him, i think the issue is just the player cost of acquisition. there’s no way the dodgers will trade seager or urias for one year of a relief pitcher, no matter how awesome. but the reds want something pretty good for him, clearly. so you’d probably be talking about something like joc or jose de leon, probably plus other pieces. so at the end of the day there’s got to be less painful ways to get a pen upgrade, even if it won’t lead to the same kind of hilarious dominance as a two-headed super-closer.
I agree I don’t think Chapman goes any where unless the Reds get reasonable on the price which may be what the Dodgers were doing seeing if the Reds have met with reality yet.
Define reality? The Dodgers #27 prospect who projects to be a utility infielder at best but most likely won’t hit enough to stay in the majors? I say facetiously; I don’t know who the Dodgers actual #27 prospect is, but that seems to be what a lot fans expect to give up for arguably the most dominant closer in the game who can be given a qualifying offer and bag and additional top 40 pick.
That’s not reality
If you are the LAD, in what world do you ever give up Joc for Chapman straight up? Cost controlled, former top prospect for a year of Chapman (plus a pick if you account for the QO); I may be over-valuing Joc, but if I am the Reds, I jump on that.
yeah they need bullpen help but Jansen hasn’t been the issue – the issue has been getting to him. I think something to consider is also ego – when you have 2 guys that are actual closers (not by committee) for the same spot you get 2 unhappy guys at the end of your bullpen. What the dodgers need are 2 or 3 solid setup guys to close the gap (prolly a righty and a lefty) rather than another 9 single inning or less strikeout machine. But that being said – as a giants fan they can do whatever they want….
The bullpen was abominable throughout the year. Different guys took their turn with the exception of Jansen, who was prone to give up the long ball more last year than years past. While Chapman will certainly help, the whole pen needs to be retooled, in my opinion.
The only way I see them getting chapman is in some three way trade where they send Jansen to another team, probably something with Toronto and getting back hutinson and sending Urias and vanslyke to Cincinnati, Toronto getting Jansen and maybe a few players from the Reds for Pompey but it all seems like a stretch, don’t think the dodger need chapman when they have Jansen, why give up prospects for something you already have ?
So you’re saying the Dodgers trading away Jansen, Urias & VS for 1 year of Chapman is plausible? C’mon man…
well, to be fair, he did say it seems like a stretch. that the dodgers… having refused to trade urias for anybody for years… would now spend him on… not even aroldis wholesale, but the difference between jansen and aroldis… an incremental closer upgrade… yes… perhaps a stretch
The only reason I say that is because according to everyone the Reds asking price is beyond reasonable and that’s what it would probably take if the dodgers really wanted him, I think it would be stupid for LA to go out and get him
not just that but it is the opposite of what the new management has leaned towards which is low cost controllable guys
I have seen many stupid proposals but you sir take the cake
If you read what I wrote you would realize I also find it to be stupid. The Reds asking price for Chapman is very high and if the dodgers really wanted him it would take Urias and probably two others, and Toronto would love a bullpen upgrade hence the acquisition of Jansen if the dodgers were to get chapman all in all the dodgers trying to make a run at chapman makes no sense to me
my mistake
i see what you’re saying, but it’s still silly. it wouldn’t take urias plus “probably two others”. if the dodgers offered urias for chapman straight up the reds would snatch the deal like a trapdoor spider
What about trading Alex wood for chapman will the Reds do it.?
hahahahahaha
Has to be due diligence. Having Chapman would be a luxury. Puig for Jose Fernandez needs to happen.
Reds fan here.. I think if the dodgers offered Deleon that would be enough for chapman. But I’d like to see the Reds offer Frazier and chapman for Uriah and puig. Reds may have to add a bit. Then move justin turner to 2B or a play every day utility guy. Ala Ben zobrist
The rotation may very well be ” more obvious” but that pen needs ALOT of work
What if the Dodgers are looking at Chapman as a potential starter?
Andrew Friedman is too smart to pay $25 million for two relievers. And any team that commits that number to two relievers deserves to lose.