Trading Chapman is a no-brainer, but resigning him this offseason? Consider it

Very rarely is a player dealt at the trade deadline and back with the team that traded him the following year. Once a team gets rid of that player, fan bases and organizations begin to move on, cheering for the new player(s) they’ve acquired for the aforementioned recently traded player. If you’re the New York Yankees, Aroldis Chapman must be dealt by August 1^st. That said; why not strongly consider resigning him during the upcoming free agency?

Photo Credit: Elsa | Getty Images

The Yankees “ No Runs DMC” has been ultra successful both on and off the field. They’ve reigned terror to opposing teams in the batters box and even have shirts made for them in all the stores around Yankee Stadium. The Yankees are 18-1 in 2016 when Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman pitch, the one loss being a disastrous rain delayed game in Baltimore. The Royals previously showed everyone how far a strong bullpen could take you in the postseason, so why not replicate it.

Dealing Chapman is obviously what puts the wheels in motion. There are plenty of contenders around the game looking for bullpen help, and Chapman provides that and more as his 100-plus MPH fastball plays in any park for any team. Chapman will bring a nice haul back to the Yankees, one that’s better than what the Reds received when they originally dealt him for Rookie Davis plus more. Chapman’s a rental, so the Yankees can’t ask for the moon, but a few stars nearby is reasonable.

Once he’s gone, the next order of business is discussing the type of money it would take to bring him back. Over the last few years, some elite relievers have signed some big contracts;

• 2014 – David Robertson; four-years, $46 million.
• 2014 – Andrew Miller; four-years, $36 million.
• 2015 – Darren O’Day; four-years, $31 million.

Amongst the three aforementioned relievers, Chapman is the youngest of the bunch by nearly three years. He’s also been the best at what he does for sometime, so his contract will likely be up over $50 million. The Yankees, however, have a lot of money coming off of the books in the next two years. They’ll have Miller on the books for another two years when 2016 comes to a close and Betances becomes arbitration eligible in 2017 and won’t be a free agent until 2020.

With so much money coming off of the books, the Yankees must consider reuniting the big three at the end of the pen barring one gets traded. General Manager Brian Cashman should be praised if he could pull something like this off. Grabbing a handful of top prospects and than bringing back the guy you traded for those same prospects. Slow play this hand, Mr. Cashman. Then go all in this upcoming offseason.

Article by James Grande

Follow me on Twitter: @The_Real_Grande
Follow the BBB: @BronxBomberBlog