Latest Rumors: Top 3 Free Agent Destinations for Matt Chapman

MLB Insider Jon Morosi calls him "the best pure infielder that's available." With four Gold Gloves, there's no doubt that Matt Chapman can solidify any team's infield defense at the hot corner. 

But which teams will bid big on a player whose offense completely deserted him after the first month of the 2023 season, and he wound up with his lowest full-season home run total (17) since his rookie year. 

The latest buzz, now that agents and teams are done gathering at the GM Meetings, is that these three teams will be among the most likely destinations for the 30-year-old. 

New York Yankees

"(Matt) Chapman is the best pure infielder who is available."@jonmorosi has the latest speculation on the 4-time Gold Glove winner's free agency market after Toronto extended a qualifying offer on Monday. pic.twitter.com/pzWHryQImh

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 8, 2023

Insider Jon Morosi is watching the Yankees "very closely", pointing out that "third base for them has been a bit of a revolving door the past year+." Between Josh Donaldson and DJ LeMahieu, they just haven't gotten the consistency out of that position. 

Chicago Cubs

Imagine adding Chapman to that infield that already boasts Dansby Swanson at shortstop and Nico Hoerner at second. Three Gold Gloves in the infield (and on ein the outfield in Ian Happ) would certainly have free agent pitchers beating down the Cubbies' door to come pitch there. 

The team cycled quite a few players through the hot corner in 2023, and Chapman would be a rock to roll out every day. 

Toronto Blue Jays

Despite his second-half slump at the plate, his defense, obviously, remained a pillar of Toronto's "run-prevention" mantra. The Jays did make Chapman the qualifying offer of $20M, but even though he'll undoubtedly decline it, the team still "definitely" would like to re-sign him. 

#BlueJays "absolutely remain interested" in Matt Chapman on a multiyear deal per Ross Atkins

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) November 8, 2023

GM Ross Atkins says the Jays "absolutely remain interested" in Chapman, but truly, you need to take everything that Atkins says with a grain of salt. 

The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets are also thought to be contenders for Chapman, and those teams shouldn't be ruled out here.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports