The Yankees have avoided arbitration with recently-acquired lefty Aroldis Chapman by agreeing to a one-year, $11.325MM deal, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
That figure comes in $275K above the midpoint between the two sides’ filing numbers of $13.1MM and $9MM. It does fall a fair sight shy of the $12.9MM payday projected by MLBTR coming into the winter.
Chapman, of course, came to the Yankees at a discounted price after it was revealed that he was allegedly involved in a serious domestic disturbance. While charges will not be filed against him, there is still a possibility of league discipline relating to the matter.
The Yankees will obviously hope that the investigation does not reveal cause for a lengthy suspension, with intentions of utilizing Chapman alongside fellow late-inning aces Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances in what could be the most fearsome trio of relievers ever seen in one pen. Anything close to a typical season from the dominating lefty would not only make the trade an easy win (from an on-field perspective, at least), but would set up New York to recoup a draft pick by making him a qualifying offer.
Last year may not quite have been Chapman’s very best overall campaign, but it probably cemented his status as the league’s best reliever regardless. He ended with a 1.63 ERA on the back of a ridiculous 15.7 K/9 strikeout rate. He did permit 4.5 free passes per regulation game, and doesn’t generate many grounders, but that hardly detracts from his near-invincible aura. Indeed, Chapman has struck out nearly half of the hitters he’s faced over the past two seasons and continues to work in the 99 to 100 mph range with his average fastball.
Wade Davis is better
You’re just splitting hairs pretty much. Top five relievers in baseball, in no particular order:
Chapman, Davis, Miller, Kimbrel, Betances. Three of the five are Yankees.
How much time would he have to miss to still be under team control after this season?
I think 46 days or more. I’d say there’s 0% chance that happens.
He has 5.035 MLS so 36 days would give him 5.171
As I stated when the projections came out in November, the reason why Matt was so off on Chapman is that Matt uses career statistics which are not applicable for Arb-2, Arb-3 and Arb-4 who went through the arbitration process in the previous season. The fact that there is some correlation is irrelevant.
It has nothing to do with the domestic violence charge (I doubt it had any impact at all), but rather a formula that uses inputs that have no bearing on eventual salary.
Yankees have potentially if healthy the best back end of the bullpen ever! All they need is for their starters to 5 innings. If ahead the Yankees will dominate late.
After the allstar break when they’re all gassed though, can they get a lead?
If the Yankees can get a lead with that offense. Even the Yankees organization have admitted it is a dicey proposition.
If the Yankee starter can go 5 innings. Which one? CC? Yeah, that’ll happen.
So those 3 guys are pitch 4 innings for 162 games? And be successful? That’s your theory?
Yea i mean i’d be surprised if the second best offense in baseball at scoring rus last year scored any runs at all this year.
If suspended for a minimum of 40 games he would still be under team control under arbitration for2017
He did not fire a gun at his spouse. He fired at a wall in his garage. His spouse was no where near him.
from what i hear chapman and girlfriend gave their stories at the time and nothing has changed. mlb doesnt need to wait for the investigation. they should act now and firmly.