Among the areas the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to address this offseason is in the bullpen. While Luis Avilan, Pedro Baez and Chris Hatcher and others pitched well at various points throughout the season, inconsistency again proved to be a theme in 2015.
In recent weeks the Dodgers were said to be pursuing late-inning options Darren O’Day and Ryan Madson.
However, O’Day eliminated Los Angeles from consideration, and Madson agreed to a three-year, $22 million contract with the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
While the Dodgers were still part of the O’Day sweepstakes, it was reported they also were considering closers, with Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds believed to be among the options.
Chapman is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, and Reds general manager Dick Williams expects to trade the electric left-hander, via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
Interest understandably high in aroldis chapman. Wash, hou, AZ, lad among many interested. Red gm Williams expects deal here
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 6, 2015
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers and Reds are discussing a trade for Chapman:
Sources: #Dodgers in talks to acquire Aroldis Chapman from #Reds for prospects.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2015
The Dodgers are confident they’ll be able to complete a trade for Chapman, per ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Source: There is growing confidence in the Dodgers organization that they're going to be able to finish Aroldis Chapman trade.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 6, 2015
Los Angeles tendered a contract to Kenley Jansen prior to last week’s deadline. They avoided arbitration with Jansen for the 2015 season by agreeing to a one-year, $7.425 million contract.
Chapman was named to a fourth consecutive All-Star team last season, during which he recorded 33 saves with a 1.63 ERA, 1.94 FIP and 1.15 WHIP. Chapman’s strikeout rate dropped, but still sat at an impressive 15.7 per nine innings.
Per FanGraphs, Chapman leads all relievers in WAR (10.3) since 2012; Jansen is third on the list. It’s unclear what a trade for Chapman would mean for Jansen’s future with the Dodgers.
Assuming both remain on the roster, it wouldn’t come as a surprise should Chapman and Jansen be alternated in the eighth and ninth innings, dependent on matchups.
