Coming off another strong season Aroldis Chapman reached free agency this winter as arguably the top closer available. He was joined in the conversation by Kenley Jansen, and the two were rated ahead of fellow reliever Mark Melancon.
Rather than Chapman or Jansen setting the market, it was Melancon who signed first, joining the San Francisco Giants on a four-year, $62 million contract. The Giants at one point had interest in Chapman and Jansen, but were unwilling to dole out a record contract for either.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins and New York Yankees were left as the most apparent serious suitors for the top closers. New York reportedly submitted contract offers to both Chapman and Jansen on Tuesday.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Chapman has agreed to a five-year contract with the Yankees:
BREAKING: Chapman to #Yankees, five years, $86M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2016
Chapman’s deal includes a no-trade clause for three years, with all teams on the West Coast blocked, per ESPN’s Marly Rivera:
Correction: Chapman's trade provision is no-trade to a West Coast team (not only California) https://t.co/BKeiBIm1T5
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) December 8, 2016
Chapman can also opt out of his deal after the 2019 season, and has a limited no-trade clause for the final two years of the deal:
Source: Chapman deal includes three-year opt-out, full no-trade for first three years, limited no-trade for final two.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2016
The Dodgers had an agreement in place last winter to acquire Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds, but a report of his involvement in an alleged domestic violence incident put the trade on hold. Los Angeles eventually decided to walk away all together, and Chapman was traded to the Yankees.
He served a 30-game suspension to begin the season, then recorded 20 saves with a 2.01 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 44 strikeouts and eight walks in 31.1 innings over 31 games. New York then traded the electric left-hander to the Chicago Cubs.
Chapman went on to covert 16 saves with a 1.01 ERA in 28 appearances and although he endured some bumps in the postseason, was key in the Cubs’ winning their first World Series since 1908.
The Dodgers, Marlins and Yankees were all said to be awaiting a decision from Chapman as of Wednesday evening. His signing leaves Jansen squarely in the spotlight, with the Dodgers and Marlins still searching for a closer.
