MLB Rumors: Scouts Say THIS Pitcher Should Be Yankees Closer in 2022

 

Aroldis Chapman has been the New York Yankees closer for 5+ years now, and for most of that time, he's been one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. But cracks started to show in 2021, and at least two scouts have said they'd go in another direction in 2022. And both cite the same option.

A report in the New York Post quotes one rival AL scout as saying “I’d go with Jonathan Loaisiga. And I might not even wait until ‘23.” An NL scout seconded that notion: “He could do anything out there, including close." 

The 34-year-old Chapman has one year left on his 3-year, $48M contract, and it's likely his last in pinstripes. Chapman's been on the decline, to the point he was removed from the closer role at one point last season, and his embarrassing run even led to him blocking public access to his Instagram account.  

Chapman posted a career-high 1.31 WHIP, his highest ERA (3.36) in ten years, and a soaring walk ratio of 6.1 per 9 innings. 

Loaisiga, on the other hand, was dominant in whatever role he took on. He posted a 2.17 ERA to go with a 1.02 WHIP and 5 saves. The 26-year-old took on the biggest workload of his career at 70 innings, and seems ready to take over the closer role. 

Photo Credit:  Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports