Yankees In Hot Pursuit Of Chapman, Have Contingency Plans, Too
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Yankees may not be the Yankees of recent vintage when it comes to consistently breaking the bank for free agents, but they still act with purpose when intrigued.
Aroldis Chapman has their attention, and then some.
WFANs Sweeny Murti, who has spent the last few days at the Winter Meetings in Maryland, reported late Tuesday that the Yankees have made substantial offers to both Chapman and another top closer, Kenley Jansen.
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Chapman started last season with the Yankees, but was sent to the eventual world champion Chicago Cubs prior to the trade deadline as part of the Bombers' full-scale commitment to a youth movement.
The Cuban left-hander finished the 2016 season with a combined 36 saves and 1.55 ERA, with 90 strikeouts in 58 innings.
Now a free agent who figures to command the biggest contract among available closers, Chapman has made it no secret that he'd welcome a return to New York, and the Yankees seem willing and ready to make it happen. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said the Bombers have offered Chapman a contract worth more than $80 million.
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It is believed that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Marlins are also pursuing Chapman aggressively, Murti reported.
The Yankees' backup plan, should they not land the hard-throwing left-hander, includes Jansen, who posted 180 saves over the last five seasons with the Dodgers, Murti reported.
New York has also inquired about the Chicago White Sox's David Robertson and put out a feeler to the Kansas City Royals about Wade Davis, but Davis was reportedly traded to the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon, Murti reported.
Whomever the Yankees end up with will join a bullpen that already features power arm Dellin Betances and durable Tyler Clippard. The Bombers are also believed to be interested in acquiring a lefty reliever.
