This past offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds had a trade in place that would have sent closer Aroldis Chapman to Los Angeles in exchange for prospects.
But the trade was put on hold and eventually called off once a report surfaced about Chapman being involved in a domestic violence incident. While the Dodgers backed away from trade talks, the New York Yankees stepped in to acquire the flamethrower.
Chapman was suspended 30 games by MLB prior to the 2016 season beginning. He returned and was his usual dominant self on the mound. Although it’s an opportunity for the left-hander to exact some revenge, he doesn’t fault the Dodgers for their decision, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times, Chapman does not hold any hard feelings towards the Dodgers:
“I knew the deal was almost done and it broke apart,” Chapman said in Spanish through team interpreter Mateo Moreno. “But to me it was fine whatever occurred with them.
“I don’t hold any ill will toward them at all about that. I know it’s just business.”
When the Yankees were shopping Chapman before the trade deadline the Dodgers reportedly were among the teams interested. Chapman is a free agent after this season, as is current Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, so it’s not beyond reason to believe the Dodgers may pursue signing Chapman this winter.
Chapman hasn’t necessarily left a lasting impression on the Dodgers during the NLCS. He allowed a game-tying, two-run single to Adrian Gonzalez in Game 1, and was tagged for two runs in Game 5. Chapman did work around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth inning in Game 2.
