Aroldis Chapman agreed to an $86MM guarantee from the Yankees last night, but the Marlins offered him a bigger guarantee of $87MM, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. The Yankees’ deal contains additional value for Chapman in the form of an opt-out clause after three years, and the terms of the Marlins’ offer might have been different. (FanRag’s Jon Heyman tweets that the salary distribution in the Yankees’ deal, which includes a large signing bonus, was better, and Chapman also liked the no-trade clause.) Still, last night, Chapman specifically cited a desire to return to the Yankees as a key reason for his decision. Here’s more from the East divisions.
- The conventional wisdom was that the Nationals paid too heavily for Adam Eaton this week, Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post writes. One key to the trade from the Nationals’ perspective, though, is that the organization had changed its mind about Lucas Giolito, with one team official telling Svrluga, “He’s not going to be what I thought he was going to be.” Also, Eaton (who is controllable for the next five years) offered the Nationals a long-term outfield solution that Andrew McCutchen wouldn’t have — McCutchen would have been eligible for free agency after the 2018 season, at the same time as Bryce Harper, and the Nats would have been forced to address two outfield positions at once.
- GM Brian Cashman says the Yankees have completed their biggest moves this offseason, “unless I trade (Brett) Gardner,” as related by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch (on Twitter). Hoch adds that Cashman has rejected trade offers for third baseman Chase Headley. The Yankees, of course, have agreed to terms with Chapman and Matt Holliday to upgrade their bullpen and DH spot. The Yankees have listened to offers for Gardner this week.
- With the Winter Meetings in the books, the Mets will now attempt to trade Jay Bruce or another outfielder, and they’ll try to add relief pitching on short-term deals, ESPN’s Adam Rubin tweets. Earlier this week, the Mets reportedly were interested in a Curtis Granderson / Brad Brach deal with the Orioles that would have addressed both needs, but that trade seems unlikely.
rit2940
Can’t believe cash man would turn down ANY trade involving Headly ? You talk about a nothing player!!!
MB923
He had a 2.6 WAR last year. He’s not a “nothing player”. Though he isn’t all good either. Maybe he rejected him because A- The offers aren’t good , and B – The Yankees don’t have a better option at 3B????
NYY22
Facts homie
slider32
Yes, Gardner and Headley are 2 WAR players with experience, they have played in the playoffs.
dbacksrs
They’re both over-rated and over-paid.
MB923
In today’s market, i wouldn’t call either overpaid. Both are only owed about $26 million the next 2 years
padam
Headly is.
jmdjr1966
The next person who idiotically throws a WAR out, will make me sick!
How can Headley be realistically a 2.3 War. Seriously, who does the War mongers equate the replacement to be, Roy Staiger of the 70’s Mets?
Apparently every major league starting 3B had a positive War. I Refer to fangraphs.com/blogs/2016-positional-power-rankings…
It’s ridiculous. The War compares you to the guy on the bench who comes in to play 3B when the starter needs a breather or is out.
War should be comparative to Wins above the average. The average 3B hits .280 drove in 80 runs and hit 25 HR’s for example. Then Headley would be Negative Waa = Wins above average player.
Vedder80
Who would they have as a replacement? If there were offers, he obviously has some value.
takeyourbase
Who plays third if Headly is traded? Serious question.
djpiglatin
Sign turner or trade for Frazier and Quintana
dobsonel
They don’t have the finances and they don’t want to trade away the youth movement… not sure why people have a problem accepting these facts.
costergaard2
I have a dream that Castro goes to 3B in ’18 and Gleyber Torres plays 2B or SS. Didi can also play 2B or SS. Hate to break up the DP combo, but I’m excited for Gleyber…
Perksy
I’d like to see Gleyber and Mateo in the infield in ’18, and then trade either Castro or Didi.
krasher55
I agree that the infield eventually should be Gleyber at SS and Mateo at 2nd with Andujar, Castro, and Gregorious vying for 3rd with the 2 remaining being traded for starting pitching or serve as backups yet they would have a lot of trade value.
ralphrc
The batboy. Doesn’t matter.
BSPORT
Agree, would take anything I could get and open position up for a younger guy to give it a shot.
morgannyy 2
Probably involved how much money the Yanks would have to include in the deals
dave1775
Typical moron comment on this app!
nelyanks323
Trade Headley for prospects and then trade for Frazier with white sox.
dobsonel
With the haul the Sox just got in their last two trades, they aren’t trading Frazier for anything less than a team’s top two prospects. Yanks won’t go there.
MB923
Lol. Not a chance Frazier gets a teams top 2 prospects unless it’s from the worst farm system in baseball (Angels?)
ripcookies
You probably made that same comment about AE before he got traded.
Perksy
I know! How does he turn down deals for Headley? Take whatever you get and run with it.
mack22 2
Yeah but with no state tax the Marlins offer was about 9-10 mil more.
petfoodfella
Still, you’re unlikely to go to the playoffs w/ the Marlins. I wouldn’t want to play there either, even for $10mm difference.
vvadnala
The Yankees probably aren’t either next year. Their rotation remains a weakness
MB923
I think he meant over the next 5 years. Not next year.
IMO , Anything can happen in a 5 year span. Heck anything can happen in just a One year span.
krasher55
Yankees rotation is a weakness but it’s not horrible. They got Tanaka and even though C.C. is getting old, he’s still fairly effective and they also have Pineda and Severino who need to make a few adjustments for sure but don’t forget they were once highly regarded. Also with the huge amounts of pitching prospects they’ve acquired, at least one of them is bound to be a successful starter. The Yankees have great prospects coming up in the next few years and should be right back in their spot as World Series favorites. Sure that’s going out on a limb but it’s very possible. Torres, Mateo, Andujar, Judge, Bird, Frazier, Austin, Sanchez, and more are going to help them out a lot.
JT19
Loria probably wasn’t willing to give Chapman a NTC, and given Loria’s penchant to hold fire sales, that could be a big factor.
bleedblueandorange
The worst owner in all sports doesn’t give NTC in a contract. Chap would have been traded by mid 2018 season
Freddie Morales
Mets should not trade Grandy. He is too important to their lineup. I can see a scenario in which Bruce starts the season with the Mets although I think he and Duda are repetitive. I am holding out hope Mets could trade for Cain to play CF with Cespedes and Grandy on either side of him and just dump Bruce salary.
TennVol
Bet anything the Marlins wouldn’t put a no trade clause in the contract. Everyone knows how Loria and company will trade players Willy Nilly and Chapman wanted stability. You won’t get that with the Marlins.
xD2V
Marlins have a policy that doesn’t allow them to offer no trade clauses. Only exception was made with the Giancarlo Stanton signing
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
Where’s this policy? I know I’m going back some years, but they did give Pudge an NTC when he signed his one year deal.
bleedblueandorange
I don’t think the worst iwner in all sports(Loria) was the owner then. I could be mistaken
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
Loria was. He purchased the team after the Expos sale in 2002 and won a World Series during his first year as the Marlins owner.
skip 2
That’s for sure Frank!
1e828d29
Gonna miss chapman but gotta save money for Jake. Good singing for the Yankees in a loaded division.
kent814
Jake who?
1e828d29
Jake from State Farm
coloredpaper
1
wiggysf
Your fWAR right now is over 10.
bronxbombers
Arrieta bro arrieta
skip 2
Jake from State Farm is better.
kent814
K cuz he didn’t say his team
markmc1235
I agree skip. Jake from state farm is a more pleasant person than Jake arrieta. Better clubhouse guy imo.
MetsManMetsFan86
Jake da Snake Roberts
takeyourbase
Chapman was clearly a rental only pickup for the Cubs anyway. They never had any intention of trying to resign him as a free agent
MB923
From Bob Nightengale earlier:
The #Marlins last bid for Aroldis Chapman was for $85 million, but most important, included opt out clauses after Year 1 and Year 2
(Not sure why I even bother posting what He writes. His sources suck. Also said Chapman had a $92 million offer. Doubt it was the Dodgers)
Gnotorious
The comments about Gioloto are interesting. I was thinking that the Nats must have soured on him to trade him now with him being so close to the majors. I still believe they gave up to much for Eaton (and I am a fan of Eaton’s work going back to the D-backs). If Gioloto turns into a bust, and I’m not saying he will, This trade will look a lot more even. If Gioloto becomes an ace that many believe he will be, then Chicago wins.
stonepie 3
must be low ball offers for headley and/or cash isn’t positive valbuena would sign in new york. valbuena isn’t really much of an improvement, unless he comes cheap which i doubt, so it seems like a wash. I’d love turner but yankees haven’t been linked
ottomatic
Trading headley and signing valbuena is the route they should go
ralphrc
No such thing as a low ball offer for Headley. I’d literally take the low balls.
rnyrican88
Not a chase fan, but maybe he can start strong, then they can flip him, even if just for salary relief.
ralphrc
He sucks. Last year didn’t have an RBI until the trade deadline.
slider32
To have a perfect off season Cashman might be able to trade Gardner, and then turn around and add Quintana for 4 good prospects , Mato, Judge, McKinney, and Tate.
Yankees2425
Judge is our starting RF next year so no
rocky7
Wow,
You would actually consider that an even trade.
Quintana, albeit a starting horse, looks to be a .500 pitcher while you are trading an awful lot of potential for basically a 4th or 5th starter.
Your not my GM.
Brixton
and thank god your not a GM. That deal is considerably light for Quintana, who’s a top pitcher in the game
kent814
Quintana has been consistently one of the ALs best starters. Over the past 3-4 years, hes like top 10 in FIP, FIP , and K/BB
MB923
A .500 pitcher because the White Sox never scored runs for him. Why are you using W-L as your argument ?
jdgoat
Do you look at stats?
markmc1235
Quintana a 5th starter lol. That made me laugh so hard. Thank you. Let me offer you some advice rocky7, I personally wouldn’t judge Quintana or any pitcher for that matter by win percentage. Check out Randy Johnson’s stats in 2004. He was 16-14. A 500 pitcher that year. Did he have an average year? I believe he was second in the cy young voting behind a guy named Roger Clemens.
vtadave
Felix Hernandez was 13-12 the year he won the Cy Young. But…wins!
notagain27
I wouldn’t be so hard on Headley or Gardner if you look at their numbers. WAR says they both out performed their salaries. While neither player seems to be a “All Star”, they both seem to provide stability in their roles within the team structure. Can they be upgraded?? Sure, but that costs money and the Yankees are trying to stay under the luxury tax ceiling. Headley will be a good player for the Yankees until Machado becomes a Free Agent
thetruth 2
We’re not getting Machado hopefully, Harper is a lot better,
jenkmanvegas
I’m a vegas guy so love Harper, but no way in he’ll that he is better than Machado at this point, not even close.
downeysoft42
No biggie but missing the word trade before Jay Bruce
ralphrc
Turned down offers for Headley? Is he nuts? He’s the definition of “meh”.
TorontoBayDevilsJaysFan
The Yankees should’ve traded chase to the Jays for JD straight up then flip him and prospects to the white sox for Frazier IMO
mattgarcia2324
I dont buy that. No way cashman turn down any offer on chase.
dmac
The Yankees need another starter and I would say another bat. Wouldn’t mind seeing Gardner as part of a package with say judge and another prospect traded for say McCutchen and Gerrit cole?
chodiefoster
I love the talk about trading for quintana when no one seems to remember who let him go in the first place
tdh732
can you see Gardner and a prospect for Sonny Gray or Matt Harvey? assume Mets move Granderson or Bruce.
Foreveryankees
Don’t want ither one of them. They let the man that could make a difference go to Boston for nothing. We could have got him and still have our top prospects. Idiots!!
Foreveryankees
Yankees are dumber than I thought. What is the good of chapman if you can’t get to him? Stupid move and they are thinking their genuises by doing it. Wake up idiots!!! You just let are long time enemy walk away with Sale.