Aroldis Chapman (54) is headed to the Cubs. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees have agreed to a blockbuster trade that will send closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs, according to multiple reports Monday.
The Cubs reportedly will send a four-player package to the Yankees — top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, minor league outfielder Billy McKinney, relief pitcher Adam Warren and an unidentified fourth player.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has approved the deal, according to the reports.
Speculation circulated Monday that one reason why the teams have not announced the trade is because the Cubs are attempting to sign Chapman to a long-term deal, ESPN reported. Chapman, a free agent after this season, is making $11.325 million.
Chapman, a left-hander known for a fastball that can reach 105 mph, has been one of the biggest names rumored to be on the trading block.
Chapman would fill one of the few remaining holes on a loaded Cubs roster — that of an experienced left-handed reliever. He has 166 saves over his seven-year major league career, the first six of which were with the Cincinnati Reds.
The 28-year-old Cuban who was suspended for the first 30 games of the season under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy for his involvement in an alleged incident in October, is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA, 20 saves and 44 strikeouts this season.
Torres, 19, is the Cubs’ top-ranked prospect and No. 15 in baseball, according to ESPN baseball insider Keith Law. Torres was scratched about 20 minutes before the first pitch for high Class A Myrtle Beach on Sunday afternoon.
In 94 games for Myrtle Beach this year, Torres is batting .275 with a .359 on-base percentage, a .433 slugging percentage, nine homers and 47 RBIs. He has 19 stolen bases in 29 attempts.
The Cubs originally acquired Warren in an earlier trade with the Yankees that sent Starlin Castro to New York.
