Aroldis Chapman Linked To 3 Teams

The chatter around former MLB closer Aroldis Chapman has picked up substantially, with three teams now connected to some interest in the free agent former 7-time All-Star. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres were getting the most buzz at the outset of the day, after a post from noted former ballplayer Carlos Baerga, who has broken some big signings in recent years. But another source, one very familiar with Cuban baseball, has his doubts:

Aroldis Chapman rumor about offers from Dodgers and Padres is not accurate. Chapman had a bullpen in Miami yesterday in front of one MLB team, but there's nothing on the table yet, per sources. pic.twitter.com/0RsEZhrtky

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 6, 2023

Francys Romero writes that neither the Dodgers nor Padres have made any offers to Chapman, who did throw a bullpen session for at least one team in Miami this week.

And that's also the home of the team just across the sea from Chapman's native Cuba. One Spanish-language reporter says the Miami Marlins have interest as well. 

El mercado de equipos interesados en Aroldis Chapman es muy positivo. Varias franquicias parecen interesados pero ninguno le ha ofrecido un contrato. Por fuentes, los #Marlins también están entre los equipos que han mostrado interés.

— Andrés Bolívar (@AndreesBolivar) January 6, 2023

Translated, roughly: The market for teams interested in Aroldis Chapman is very positive. Several franchises seem interested but none have offered him a contract. By sources, the #Marlins are also among the teams that have shown interest. 

The former New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs closer has 315 career saves, seven All-Star appearances, and eight seasons with at least 30 saves, most recently in 2021. But he lost the job in spectacular fashion for the Yankees this past season, and then lost his chance to pitch in the postseason for them when he went M.I.A. in September. 

Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports