Aroldis Chapman reacts after Rajai Davis hit a two-run home run during the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6 in Game Seven of the 2016 World Series. (Photo : Getty Images/Elsa)
Aroldis Chapman was relieved that the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series because he did not want to become the city's goat after blowing a three-run lead. The latest rumors imply that Chapman might not be coming back to the Cubs this offseason and the New York Yankees are ready to give him max money.
The Cubs acquired Chapman from the Yankees on July 25 in exchange for four players that include two top prospects. He was great for the Cubs until Game 7 of the World Series when he gave up three runs and the lead.
According to the New York Post, the left-handed closer was crying during the rain delay right before the Cubs got the win in the tenth inning. He was very relieved that he did not become Chicago's scapegoat if they failed to break the 108-year drought.
"I was emotional. I thought that I had been given the opportunity to win the game and then it got complicated. I got complications. And because of those complications, once that hitter got that ball out, it was difficult for me. It was a very emotional time for me," Chapman told The Post through an interpreter after the game.
The 28-year-old closer is set to become a free agent and many teams are looking to sign him. The Cubs are certainly interested in bringing him back but the Yankees are prepared to give him a lot of dollars this winter.
According to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, the Yankees want to sign both Chapman and Kenley Jansen to form a dynamic one-two punch to put the game away. However, Heyman pointed out that New York's priority is Chapman over Jansen.
The Yankees will have a lot of money this offseason with several big contracts coming off the books. They already have a big bullpen arm in Dellin Betances but the 2016 postseason showed the importance of having lights out relievers that can pitch in any part of the game.
Chapman, who is the game's top closers, has regularly been named an All-Star except for this season. He also has the ability to throw 100-mph fastballs at will but he is expected to want a big deal, possibly more than the four-year, $50 million contract the Philadelphia Phillies gave to Jonathan Papelbon in 2011.
It should be noted that these are just purely speculative at the moment and should be taken with a grain of salt. If ever the Yankees miss out on Chapman or Jansen, they can go after a veteran reliever like Mark Melancon.
Check out the video below to see Chapman pitch an MLB record 106-mph fastball back in 2011.
