According to Joe Frisaro, the Miami Marlins site reporter for MLB.com, the Reds are “open to trading” Aroldis Chapman. Here is an excerpt from Frisaro’s column today Should the Marlins go after Chapman?
Since finding the ideal starter isn’t easy, perhaps the Marlins should consider building a super bullpen. If they are leaning that way, Aroldis Chapman would be a logical option.
We don’t know if the Marlins are thinking this way, but what is clear is the Reds are open to trading Chapman, their fireball-throwing lefty closer.
Cuban-born, Chapman would be an immediate fan favorite in Miami. He also would make the entire pitching staff better.
The fact he is 26, and doesn’t reach free agency until 2017 means he could be with the Marlins at least two seasons. Entering his prime, he also is affordable. In 2015, he is set to make $5 million after collecting 36 saves and striking out 106 in 54 innings last season.
If the Marlins do acquire Chapman, then what happens to Steve Cishek? Teams have checked in on Cishek’s availability. Like Chapman, the 28-year-old is entering his second year of arbitration.
The Marlins have a lot of young controllable position players that could interest the Reds. Our own Steve Mancuso pointed on Twitter today that “Chapman can opt out of the $5 million for 2015 and enter arbitration. He’ll do that and should make north of $8 million.” With Chapman becoming more pricey, trading Chapman could be a good idea for the Reds if the return is right.
Chapman had the best FIP of anyone in baseball with 50+ innings last season at 0.89 (next best was Wade Davis at 1.19). The problem is that Chapman only pitched 54.0 innings, and even if he is healthy all season, $8 million is a lot to spend on a guy only pitching around 70 innings. If the Reds can get someone to overpay for that, go for it.
More to come.