If your team is three games under .500, seven games out of first place, and 6.5 games out of a playoff spot, you know what you need? AN ELITE CLOSER! While it may seem ridiculous, that’s apparently the logic going through the head of Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart, who confirmed his team is interested in Reds closer Aroldis Chapman…as long as they don’t have to give up anything of value to acquire him, of course.
#Dbacks GM Dave Stewart confirms @JeffPassan report that he checked in with #Reds about Aroldis Chapman. "I'm going to go down that…(more)
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 28, 2015
"…path and see where it takes us." #Dbacks Stewart said he did not know whether it was likely or unlikely that something would get done.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 28, 2015
#Dbacks Dave Stewart said the biggest key is he does not want to do anything that hurts the team in the future.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 28, 2015
Let’s not kid ourselves – Chapman is obviously an elite, top-tier closer, and every team in baseball could use someone like him. In 42 2/3 innings this year, he’s saved 20 games, blown just one, struck out 75, and walked 23 while pitching to a 1.69 ERA. Arizona’s bullpen has been solidly middle of the road this year, posting a 3.39 ERA in 337 innings.
But slotting Chapman in their bullpen doesn’t make the Diamondbacks contenders. They’ve gotten nothing offensively from their double play combination of Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings. Over the course of the season, their rotation is a mess outside of Robbie Ray, who has been excellent in 11 starts. Patrick Corbin and Zach Godley have been fine in their combined six starts, but we’re obviously dealing with quite a small sample there.
And besides, Stewart “doesn’t want to hurt the team in the future”. That’s fine, but what exactly does he think he’s going to trade to the Reds *for* Chapman? It sure would be great to have a prospect like Touki Toussaint to use as the centerpiece of a package, but he was essentially sold to the Braves. Does Stewart realize that he can’t just offer to take Chapman, the rest of his $8 million salary for this season, and all of his salary next season, not give up any significant prospects, and have the Reds actually be interested in that? It doesn’t work that way.
Stewart’s comments and Arizona’s reported interest in Chapman really just seems like a cop-out to me. The Diamondbacks are interested in one of the best players on the trade market…but they don’t really want to give him any prospects with much value to get him. Well, that settles it then!
