Nationals poised to battle Yankees for Aroldis Chapman
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Washington Nationals have been in on almost everything at baseball's winter meetings, and now they remain poised to reel in the most expensive prize on the market: Free agent closer Aroldis Chapman.
The Nationals remain firmly in the hunt for Chapman, according to a baseball official familiar with the club's thinking. The official spoke to Paste BN Sports on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
The fevered bidding for Chapman — who could command a contract as rich as $100 million — may come to a close Wednesday night. The New York Yankees, for one, have stalled their other movements waiting to see if they can reacquire the lefty with the 100-mph fastball.
But the Nationals made a significant move Wednesday to put themselves in position to strike, filling their lead-off slot and center field role by trading for Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton.
Eaton will make just $4 million in 2017 and has a club-friendly contract through at least 2019. The Nationals' two big moves this off-season — acquiring Eaton and catcher Derek Norris — will result in a net savings over their 2016 opening-day lineup. Eaton and Norris will combine to make around $8 million in 2017, compared to the $9.45 million center fielder Ben Revere and catcher Wilson Ramos made in 2016.
Of course, it will take a large financial commitment to reel in Chapman, whose multi-inning dominance played a crucial role in the Chicago Cubs' World Series championship after a July trade from the Yankees. He's known to seek a six-year contract, though a five-year pact nearing $100 million might suffice.
The market for relief pitchers took off on Monday when the San Francisco Giants signed reliever Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million deal, a record for a reliever.
That will soon be broken, and it may be the Nationals who do the job.