Arizona Diamondbacks unable to make deal with Reds for Aroldis Chapman
Jul 31, 2015, 12:29 PM | Updated: 2:04 pm
Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman throws against the Chicago Cubs during the10th inning of a baseball game Friday, June 12, 2015, in Chicago. The Reds won 5-4. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Oh well.
The Arizona Diamondbacks pursuit of Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was well known, and for a while it seemed as though they had a chance to land the four-time NL All-Star.
It didn’t happen.
The #Dbacks say their talks with #Reds for Chapman now completely dead. Here come the #Astros
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2015
The 27-year-old Chapman would have been an incredible get for the D-backs. The left-hander is 3-4 with a 1.45 ERA and 21 saves (in 22 opportunities) this season, and since taking over as the Reds’ closer in 2012, has locked down 133 games.
However, the asking price for the hardest-throwing pitcher in the game was apparently very high, as Nightengale reported earlier in the day the D-backs had offered prospect Braden Shipley as well as others in an effort to make a deal happen.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro had some info, too.
Reds wanted Braden Shipley and two prospects for Aroldis Chapman and that was declined.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 31, 2015
Reds wanted Braden Shipley, Brandon Drury and another top prospect from Diamondbacks for Aroldis Chapman.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 31, 2015
The Diamondbacks enter play Friday winners of their last five games and with a 49-51 record, seven games behind the L.A. Dodgers in the NL West and 6.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants for the second Wild Card spot.
