The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly reached an agreement with the Cincinnati Reds to acquire closer Aroldis Chapman in the early morning hours on the first day of Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings.
With Chapman eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, the Dodgers were said to have acquired the electric left-hander in exchange for two Minor League prospects.
However, in the hours since, there wasn’t anything learned on Cincinnati’s return. That developed to the trade possibly involving more teams, with Chapman potentially not winding up with the Dodgers.
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Reds are telling clubs they have not agreed to trade Chapman to the Dodgers:
Not sure what to make of this. But Reds telling teams they haven't yet agreed to trade Aroldis Chapman to LA. I don't think Dodgers agree
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 7, 2015
During an appearance on MLB Network, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who was first to report the trade, said he had “no reason to back off” word of the Dodgers and Reds reaching an agreement.
The Dodgers went through a similar process during the season when a trade with the Miami Marlins evolved into a three-team deal that included the Atlanta Braves and 13 players once the dust settled.
Chapman avoided arbitration with Cincinnati for the 2015 season by signing a one-year, $8.05 million contract. He 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, 1.15 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over 66.1 innings (65 appearances).
