The Los Angeles Dodgers reported agreement with the Cincinnati Reds to acquire closer Aroldis Chapman now appears as though it may go in multiple directions.
Los Angeles could very well add Chapman to a bullpen that features Kenley Jansen, or see the left-hander go to another team as part of a more complex trade.
Despite the early-morning news on Monday, Cincinnati reportedly is telling other clubs a deal to send Chapman to the Dodgers has not been agreed upon.
Should the Dodgers wind up landing Chapman, it would give them a one-two punch at the back of the bullpen that can mirror what Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke did the past three seasons for the starting rotation.
Issue of course could arise given Chapman and Jansen are both established closers. According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would welcome having two elite closers on the same roster:
“Potentially, you get two of the best closers, back-of-the-game guys, sharing the same bullpen. That’s exciting.” Asked about the problems that could arise if Jansen is asked to move into a setup role, Roberts said, “I think it’s just managing things. Again, this is all hypothetical. We don’t know. That would be a pleasant problem. We’ll see what happens.”
Chapman recorded 33 saves with a 1.63 ERA, 1.94 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, and had 116 strikeouts over 66.1 innings (65 appearances) in 2015. Jansen last season converted 36 saves with a 2.41 ERA, 2.14 FIP and 0.78 WHIP.
He added 80 strikeouts in 52.1 innings over 54 appearances. Jansen missed time to start the season as he recovered from offseason foot surgery.
Jansen converted a career-best 44 saves in 2014, and ranks second on the Dodgers’ all-time leaders list with 142 saves; trailing only Eric Gagne’s 161.
Chapman, 27, was named to a fourth consecutive All-Star team last season. He’s had at least 33 saves each season over that span.
Both Chapman and Jansen were tendered contracts by their respective clubs and are arbitration-eligible. Additionally, each can become a free agent after the 2016 season.
