Aroldis Chapman is on pace to be one of the best ALL – Time Closers in the game. Toting a Career ERA of 2.08 – and a incredible 15.2/Per 9 IP SO rate, this man is about as hard to hit as they come. At entering the 2017 season at just Age 28, a 5 year deal worth $86 MIL is not as risky as it sounds.  This organization is used to having elite Closers like him during their 23 year over .500 streak, so this is par for the course.

Brian Cashman is handling the offseason like he should.  If the brass can somehow pull off a few more trades, than I would really like the projections for future years.

Aroldis Chapman inked a 5 year deal worth $86 MIL (or exactly 5 times the what the Qualifying Offer was this year.)  New York didn’t have to pay the Cubs any compensation for the signing since he was traded to Chicago by these very Yankees at the Trade Deadline.

The whole concept of trading players though the year, only to re-ink them after those said seasons, is a practice that MLB clubs have not done in the past. 

This is a common maneuver for NHL teams over the last 15 – 20 years, and we may it see it happen a whole lot more in future campaigns.

Not only do the Yankees get their man, but they also are armed with all of the prospects they acquired from the July trade.  (Rashad Crawford (minors), Billy McKinney (minors), Gleyber Torres (minors) and Adam Warren. )

Out of those 4 players. Torres may be the best down the road.  He may also even free up the ability to deal a Starlin Castro or Didi Gregorius in the next few years. 

Warren is probably headed back to the Bullpen permanently again in 2017, however he can still grant you a spot start for the rotation.

it was a record breaking deal for a Closer, but well worth the price of admission for the Yankees. Just because they are not in the mix for the World Series maybe for the next few seasons. it doesn’t mean you are not trying to win games – and keep butts in the seats of new Yankee Stadium. Considering what the Starting Pitchers are accruing on the open market this winter. I would rather have Chapman anyway. Rich Hill is only $1.2 MILless for his Annual Average Value for his latest contract with the Dodgers. One might say he might not even lug as many Innings as a Starter for 3 years – as the Yankees returning Closer will in his 5 years as the Stopper.

It is still a waiting game for New York in the upcoming year.  They will wait for the contracts of CC Sabathia – $25 MIL, and Alex Rodriguez will also earn $21 MIL to stay at home.  The Roster has answers to start the year if they wish.

Aaron Hicks will be given a chance for some more AB.  Tyler Austin/Greg Bird and Aaron Judge will be given a shot to earn more playing time between the 1B/RF and occasional DH start to relieve Matt Holliday.

Perhaps the club could sign a Veteran Starting Pitcher to help, but that also may not happen.

New York could actually fall underneath the Luxury Tax Threshold and then reset for the 2017 year.  If they play well enough, there is still $16 MIL of salary left the club could spend.  Why not close the book on signing anyone else? 

Cashman could work on the trade angle to free up some more dough, by potentially flipping a Chase Headley (would have to eat some cash) and also Brett Gardner.

If the club hits on all cylinders. the franchise could also add some significant pieces at the Trade Deadline to make a run at  a playoff spot.

Masahiro Tanaka would have to be as good as he was in 2016 – and a guy like Michael Pineda would have to step up into a #2 Starter.  I have no doubt the Bullpen will be dominant with Chapman, Dellin Betances, Tyler Clippard and Adam Warren.

Injuries will also play a factor..Can Sabathia stay healthy?  The rotation does have some depth with Luis Cessa, Luis Severino, Chad Green and Bryan Mitchell potentially seeing some Starts in 2017.

Whatever the case, the Bronx Bombers wanted to make sure that any lead they do take is almost cemented into a victory, and Chapman provides this.

Aroldis Chapman appeared in 31 Games for the Yankees in 2016, holding 20 Saves and a crisp 2.01 ERA and WHIP of 0.894.  He struckout 44 guys in 31.1 IP.  With a 5 year deal in his pocket, there will be a ton of meaningful games for the flamethrowing Lefty to lug in the duration of the contract.  Chapman also proved he was good enough to back end the Relief Core of a World Series Championship.  This fact should be noted as the ‘Pinstripers’ hope to be in Title contention by the end of his pact.

By Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.

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