That this winter’s group of free agents would be headlined by Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon was fairly obvious for the past few months. To many, Chapman is the top option of the three, with Jansen not far behind.
It was Melancon who came off the market first, reportedly agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. That shattered Jonathan Papelbon’s $50 million deal that set the record for largest contract signed by a reliever.
It also set the floor that Chapman and Jansen are surely to break through once they agree to their respective contracts.
According to ESPN’s Marly Rivera, Chapman is seeking a six-year contract and implied he believes the value should be $100 million:
“The only thing I have expressed is that I would like a six-year contract. I know that doesn’t mean that I will get it, but that’s what I would like to sign. There are rumors out there that I requested $100 million and that’s not true at all. I believe he who deserves something, does not need to demand it.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Washington Nationals are among the clubs with reported interest in Chapman. New York acquired the electric left-hander last offseason after the Cincinnati Reds’ trade with the Dodgers fell apart when a report of Chapman’s alleged involvement in a domestic incident surfaced.
After serving a 30-game suspension, Chapman went 3-0 with 20 saves, a 2.01 ERA, 1.93 FIP and 0.89 WHIP in 31 games with the Yankees. He converted 16 saves with a 1.01 ERA for the Chicago Cubs.
By virtue of being traded during the season, Chapman, unlikely Jansen, was not eligible to be extended the qualifying offer. Thus, any signing team will not be required to forfeit their top unprotected pick in the 2017 Draft.
Although some within the Dodgers organization are said to view Chapman as a superior option to Jansen, a long-term contract for a reliever goes against president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s philosophy.
