The Los Angeles Dodgers’ best laid plans to move on after Zack Greinke agreed to a record contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks took a considerable hit Monday night.
With Hisashi Iwakuma reportedly in the fold on a three-year deal, the Dodgers appeared to reach an agreement to trade for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman on the first day of Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings.
However, Chapman has since become mired in controversy stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident at his Florida home on Oct. 30.
The Dodgers’ trade for Chapman isn’t believed to be beyond revival, though clubs appear to be in somewhat of a holding pattern as MLB begins their investigation into the 27 year old. With that, the Dodgers and Houston Astros are exploring a trade for New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:
The #Yankees could benefit most by Chapman situation,now talking to #Astros and #Dodgers about closer Andrew Miller. https://t.co/0GbPESoLPR
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2015
Like the Dodgers, the Astros were reported as being in pursuit of Chapman in recent days. Moreover, both clubs expressed an interest in signing Miller as a free agent last winter.
Houston was said to have made Miller the largest offer, which the left-hander rejected in part due to a desire to remain on the East Coast. From the Dodgers perspective, it’s believed team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedmanw wasn’t comfortable extending a long-term contract.
Miller signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Yankees; earning $9 million in annual salary. The 30 year old converted 36 saves last season with a 2.04 ERA, 2.16 FIP and 0.86 WHIP.
Miller’s 61.2 innings pitched and 14.6 strikeouts per nine innings nearly matched his numbers from a breakout 2014 season.
