REPORTS: Cubs and Yankees Working on Aroldis Chapman, Gleyber Torres Trade (UPDATES)

[SEE UPDATES BELOW. This thing is moving along.]

When the Myrtle Beach Pelicans dropped their lineup tonight, there was nothing upon which to remark.

But when they revised their lineup an hour later, and shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres was no longer in it, people started remarking. After all, this time of year, when a top prospect is scratched, you naturally wonder if it could involve trade talks. To be sure, sometimes players are scratched and nothing happens – it’s pre-emptive in that way – but that doesn’t mean it’s not related to ongoing talks.[adinserter block=”1″]

Given reports that the Yankees could be close to moving closer Aroldis Chapman earlier today, and another report that had the Cubs “pushing hard” to get him, the connections here were easy to make. But the first report that publicly connected the two things just went out:

We’ll keep tracking. The short version there is that, to me, in terms of a pure baseball move, it makes plenty of sense. I trust this front office and the development staff to know their prospects extremely well, and if they see it appropriate to move Torres for an impact reliever, I would bless it.

But it’s not purely a baseball move, as Chapman comes with some off-field baggage. We can get into that part more later, if it becomes necessary.

[adinserter block=”2″]

UPDATE: Essentially, everything out there agrees that Torres was scratched in relation to trade talks. But there is some modestly conflicting information out there on whether it is exclusively in relation to a Chapman deal, or if there are other talks going on with other teams. For example:

UPDATE 2: Heyman has said this as well:

Depending on the secondary piece, and depending on the Cubs’ internal evaluations of Torres’s future, I can see the merit – yes, even for a rental – of this deal from a baseball perspective. Chapman is among the most impactful relievers in baseball, and, for a playoff-contending team, it’s my opinion that impact relievers have disproportionate value to the relatively few innings they pitch (knowing you essentially can count on an inning in every other game being a “0” is enormous).

On the non-baseball side of this, however, I would need a lot of time to process, and I very much hope we would hear some candid, thoughtful, and earnest discussion from the front office and Chapman, himself. But we’ll get there when we get there. Some reading in the interim, three articles linked on the off-season incident and fallout:

[adinserter block=”3″]

UPDATE 3: In case you needed more confirmation that the talks, at a minimum, are very real:

UPDATE 4: Patrick Mooney adds what he’s heard (CSN), with a source telling him the teams are in the “final stages” of a deal that would involve Chapman and Torres.

UPDATE 5: Jeff Passan says that Torres and more from the Cubs is agreed upon:

Not done yet would seem to suggest (1) the other piece(s) coming from the Cubs are not finalized, (2) any return piece(s) from the Yankees in addition to Chapman are not finalized, and/or (3) an extension for Chapman is being worked on. That last one is the case, according to BP/Vice’s Rian Watt.

UPDATE 6: Sahadev Sharma dings number two as a possible hold-up, and suggests number one is out of the way, too:

UPDATE 7: George A. King III suggests that Jeimer Candelario and Adam Warren could be other pieces going to the Yankees, though he doesn’t say that they definitely are. And, good gravy – when I was thinking Torres+, I’ve gotta say I didn’t have a prospect of Candelario’s caliber in mind as the add-on, and I also don’t want anyone to lose sight of the fact that Warren still has value (even if he’s struggled in relief this year). Torres, Candelario, and Warren would be a ton to give up for 2.5 months of Chapman, even as incredibly impactful as he can be. And, again, that is setting aside the non-baseball considerations, which pretty much can’t actually be set aside because they are potentially so significant. The best way I can say that part:

There are scenarios where I can be OK with this trade, from a non-baseball perspective. But, given the reports about the December incident – deeply disturbing reports – my default setting is that I have an issue with the Cubs adding Chapman to this team. I am open to being further informed, and I think we all should be. But I also think it’s fair for fans to expect the Cubs to be willing to openly discuss the domestic violence incident, and the implications of adding a player with that history to the team. I am not prepared to sit in judgment right now. I am, however, prepared to demand that there is a conversation.

UPDATE 8: Whew:

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Still Thinking About That Incredible Christopher Morel Play

I don't want to overreact to a relatively brief stretch of success, and I certainly don't want to jinx anything. But Christopher Morel has looked pretty darn solid at third base the last couple weeks, hasn't he? Maybe some of...

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3 – April 17, 2024

UNCLENCH. They did it. There was 9th inning drama, because of course there was, but Drew Smyly was able to get the job done, pitching for the third consecutive day. Cubs win the game, Cubs win the series. Cubs win...

Cody Bellinger’s Third Homer of the Year Breaks the Tie in Arizona!

Thank god. I was starting to think Brandon Pfaadt was Cy Young in disguise or something. I can't stand (or understand, for that matter) how this guy carves up the Cubs while getting destroyed by almost everybody else. But at...

Watch Owen Caissie Launch His First Triple-A Home Run (Off a Lefty, Too!)

Owen Caissie is just one of several Cubs top prospects at Triple-A Iowa this season, but after a monster Spring Training performance (following an equally impressive Double-A debut last season), he's got a lot of eyes on him this summer....

Cubs Call Up a Couple of Fresh Arms from Iowa

In discussing the potential for a Cubs move today for a fresh arm, I wondered if they'd go down and grab someone already on the 40-man roster or if they'd shift Julian Merryweather over to the 60-day IL to make...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — How many rubber matches can one team have? After two wild games to start the series, the Cubs are looking to win their second-consecutive series this afternoon in Arizona. Jordan Wicks is on the mound for Chicago....

MLBits: Orioles Can’t Stop Hitting Home Runs, Learn Jac Caglianone’s Name, More

If you have an MLB.TV subscription: I suggest you try to catch a Baltimore Orioles game soon. The Orioles lineup is chock-full of young talent, and they're absolutely mashing the baseball right now. They're fun to watch if you can...

Cubs Farm Report | April 17, 2024: PCA Goes Yard, Cade Horton Dominates, More

Pete Crow-Armstrong showed some life on Tuesday with a solo home run for the Iowa Cubs, but it was Luis Vázquez who played hero for Iowa in the end. Plus, Cade Horton dominated for the Smokies once again. That and...

Baseball America Has Added Another Chicago Cubs Prospect to Their Top-100 List

If you have been paying attention at all, I think it's going to be very easy for you to fill in these blanks: https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1780601113198383137 Yes, that'd be Jefferson Rojas, the still-18-year-old shortstop for the High-A South Bend Cubs, currently hitting...

Cade Horton Dominated Once Again at Double-A, So What’s the Plan There?

As he's done nine times before, Cade Horton dominated in his latest outing for the Tennessee Smokies. It took him just 47 pitches to cruise through 4.0 innings of work and carve up the Rays' Double-A squad. https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1780387010039210247 Horton has...

Latest News

Red Sox vs. Guardians Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Connor Wong on a two-game home run streak, are -126 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Cleveland Guardians (12-6). First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET Thursday, live from Fenway Park...

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 18, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians versus the Boston Red Sox is one of five strong options on today's MLB slate.One of the best ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets. There are props for each of today's matchups,...

Tigers vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The Texas Rangers (10-9) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-108) in Thursday's contest with the Detroit Tigers (10-8). Game time is set for 1:10 PM ET on MLB Network. The Rangers are favored against the spread in this one...

Rays vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) are favorites (-159) on the moneyline when they take on the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) Thursday at 1:10 PM ET, live on BSSUN.Ryan Pepiot will get the ball for Tampa Bay while Los Angeles will...

Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Boston Red Sox (10-9) square off against the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) on Thursday at Fenway Park at 1:35 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Brennan Bernardino (0-1) to the mound, while Carlos...

Tigers vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Detroit Tigers (10-8) play at home against the Texas Rangers (10-9) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Tigers will give the nod to Kenta Maeda (0-1, 6.00 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 1 on the season, and the...

Rays vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) face the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) at home at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Rays will look to Ryan Pepiot (1-2) versus the Angels and Griffin Canning (0-2).Rays vs. Angels Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the contest, which airs on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. The matchup has...

How to Watch Red Sox vs. Guardians: Live Stream or on TV

On Thursday at 1:35 PM ET, Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (10-9) take on Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) at Fenway Park.Find out how to watch the Boston-Cleveland matchup below.When is Red Sox vs. Guardians and...

UGH: Alex Caruso’s Availability Already in Doubt for Next Play-In Game

The Chicago Bulls can't seem to swat the injury bug. Despite Andre Drummond and Ayo Dosunmu returning from their multi-game absences on Wednesday, the Bulls have likely lost their defense ace. Alex Caruso suffered a foot injury in the first...

more cubs news