Yankees reportedly set to designate Aroldis Chapman for Assignment, dump him

Monday September 26, 2022

Aroldis Chapman could be designated for assignment as early as next week. Reports claim that the New York Yankees are actively considering the above option and may not resign the designated player.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post was the first to break the news. He reported that the New York Yankees are “at least thinking about” sending left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman to another team. The Yankees are to decide if they think Chapman’s mechanical problems are a setback for them and if to keep the relief pitcher on their postseason roster by next week.

In addition, Sherman gives the impression that the Yankees have no intention of re-signing the seven-time All-Star, who will be a free agent after this season.

Aroldis Chapman used to be one of the best relievers in the majors. He is now 34 years old. He hasn’t done well this season. In 33 innings pitched, he has a 4.36 ERA (ERA+ of 90) and a 1.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio. This season, his speed has dropped by more than a mile per hour from last season, and he’s been on the injured list twice.

He was the Yankees’ closer when the season started, but he hasn’t saved a game since May 17. In recent times, the Yankees have only used him in low-stakes situations. Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loáisiga have taken over his role more recently. The Yankees have also put Scott Effross and Lou Trivino above the 34-year-old Cuban.

Aroldis Chapman first played for the Yankees in 2016. However, a suspension over domestic violence followed and he was traded to Chicago. In 2017, the relief pitcher returned to New York for a record five-year, $85 million offer. On September 20, 2021, he got his 1,000th strike out against the Blue Jays.

Chapman’s average leverage index, which is a way to measure the “pressure” of a situation, is 1.27, which is the worst of his career. Or, to put it another way, for the first time in his career, he is on track to make more appearances in low-stakes situations than in high-stakes situations.

Aroldis Chapman didn’t play for a few weeks because a new tattoo gave him an infected wound. He didn’t get back on the active roster until the middle of September.

The Yankees were 93-58 in the regular season going into Sunday, which gave them an 8 1/2-game lead in the American League East. Now they are only three wins away from the divisional title and they could win their division early this week in Toronto.

Do you think the Yankees are right to designate Aroldis Chapman for assignment?