Arizona Diamondbacks Trade Rumors: Aroldis Chapman
Jul 22, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Another day, another rumor involving the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yesterday, the team was supposedly having some talks about Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Cole Hamels. Today, Jeff Passan reported that the D’backs were showing some interest in Cincinnati Reds’ closer Aroldis Chapman:
Sources: Diamondbacks, Reds are talking about Aroldis Chapman. D'backs doing due diligence on him. Ask is huge, but may be something there.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2015
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Now, if you are a fan of the Snakes, you might ask why? I find myself asking the same question. Relief pitching is not what this club needs. Starting pitcher, by a wide margin, is what they should be targeting. Pursuing Hamels is a much better move than looking at Chapman. I wouldn’t want to make a deal for Hamels simply because there are pitchers Arizona can target in the offseason (David Price, for one) that would not cost prospects. The D’backs, as currently constructed, need two good starting pitchers in order to be a playoff contender. The asking price for Chapman, as Passan notes, is huge and trading guys from a farm system that has been looted from in earlier deals is not a recipe for long-range success. Here is more from Steve Gilbert at mlb.com:
#Dbacks Dave Stewart said the biggest key is he does not want to do anything that hurts the team in the future.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 28, 2015
Let’s hope Stew passes up this one.