The Yankees have provided themselves with additional bullpen firepower per Jack Curry of the YES Network who reports the Bombers have acquired reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported the trade being official:
Official: Aroldis Chapman to #Yankees.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 28, 2015
Going the other way in the deal are four minor league players according to Curry with none of them being part of the Pinstripes’ ‘elite group’ of prospects.
Hearing Yankees will give up 4 minor league players for Chapman. But none from elite group of Sanchez, Judge, Mateo, Bird, etc.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 28, 2015
Chapman who boosts a fastball that can reach the triple digits has been the speculation of trade talk all offseason. He was even close to being dealt to the Dodgers before one of those pesky domestic violence allegations surfaced detailing his fascination shooting a gun in his garage after an argument with his girlfriend. All of which hurt his value while he’s still being investigated by Major League Baseball.
But hey… he’s a Yankee now so he better not have any facial hair!
UPDATE: Going the other way in the deal to the Reds include minor league pitchers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis as well as minor league infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda.