By Juan Paez
Let’s stop half measures. It seems that the New York Yankees are beginning to despise Aroldis Chapman. It seems that Chapman, living the worst season of his career and coming from a major injury, is in the way of New Yorkers in 2022. After all, the Cuban left-hander is in the midst of a notable slump, he was released from the role closer and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Especially at this time, when the exchange market is activated, the aforementioned factors leave a possibility that hangs over Chapman like a black cloud. The Cuban with the most saves in Major League history has a good chance of leaving New York in a trade to another team. Could that potential new destination be Houston with the Astros?
You have to think it through. Chapman has two unfortunate episodes in the postseason once morest the Astros, but has pitched well at Minute Maid Park in Houston in the regular round since 2012: 9.1 innings pitched, five hits allowed, one earned run, three walks, 21 strikeouts.
Besides, the Astros might use a left-hander like Chapman in their bullpen, even keeping Ryan Pressly as their closer. The Antillean would become the sinister with the largest poster in his reliever corps, lacking left-arm pitchers. It would be a luxury piece to complete a great puzzle, which right now has Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Rafael Montero and Héctor Neris as great props.
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An eventual arrival of Chapman in Houston also makes sense given the islander’s contractual circumstances. Chapman is making $16 million, so the Yankees have two options if they want to trade him: 1) pay most of that $16 million if they want prospects, or 2) get little in return, but get rid of the pitcher by paying a small portion of that. $16 million. It seems that, if there is a change with the Astros, he would be the second option.
It is true that Chapman is in his worst season. In just 17 innings, he has walked 15 and been scored on nine times. His ERA, following 21 appearances, is 4.76. He’s 0-3, and right-handed hitters rank him at .240/.365/.420 with a .785 OPS.
But Chapman, the man with 315 saves, might use a non-New York air to regain his confidence and take some pressure off. And Houston (not New York, with an established closer and a comfortable 12-game lead over the Seattle Mariners), might offer Aroldis that comfort and help the sidereal club on the way to the postseason and in the playoffs itself, where he might in such a case face the same Yankees.
Whether it’s Houston or another destination, it’s very tempting for the Yankees to try to “get back” a solid Chapman to try to trade him and not let him go to free agency without getting anything in return. In New York, they seem to have a new closer, Clay Holmes, and the Cuban’s time as the team’s lock seems to have come to an end. Will the Yankees trade him? Will it be to Houston? The deadline for changes is August 2. It will dawn and we will see!
