The crosstown Yankees have fired the opening salvo of trade season, sending Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports reported first on Monday.
The package going to the Yankees consists of top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, 21 year old outfielder Billy McKinney, swing man Adam Warren, and a player to be named later.
Torres is the clear centerpiece of the deal. At just 19 years old, the shortstop is ranked as the 15th best prospect in baseball according to ESPN’s Keith Law. In High-A ball, Torres is also tearing up older competition, slashing .275/.359/.433 with 9 home runs and 19 stolen bases.
For Chicago, Chapman fills an immediate void in the Cubs’ bullpen, his addition instantly makes them an elite unit. After serving a 30 game suspension for domestic violence, the hard throwing lefty has been nothing short of exceptional, posting a 2.01 ERA while averaging just under 13 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chapman’s arrival in Chicago certainly changes the tenor of the National League pennant chase. Teams will have to secure leads early in games to avoid the Cubs’ tandem of Chapman and and the already formidable Hector Rondon.
