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Cashman: Yankees had 5 'aggressive' suitors for Chapman

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Yankees traded one of the game's most dominant closers, Aroldis Chapman, to the Chicago Cubs on Monday and received quite a haul in return for the fireballer.

In exchange for the left-hander, New York acquired Chicago's top prospect in shortstop Gleyber Torres, veteran right-hander Adam Warren, and minor-league outfielders Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman explained the return for the 28-year-old closer was so large because four other squads were pursuing his services too.

"We had five very aggressive, strong suitors," he told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday.

Although Cashman didn't reveal the teams, multiple reports listed the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers as squads interested in adding Chapman to their bullpens.

According to Cashman, teams were going to have to offer up quite a package of players for Chapman. Once Theo Epstein and his front office staff made their offer, Cashman got the green light to make the swap Friday after Hal Steinbrenner was convinced to sign off on the deal by the inclusion of Adam Warren, reports Sports Illustrated's Kenny Ducey.

"This was the world that any team acquiring him would have to live in," Cashman said.

Chapman immediately becomes the Cubs' closer, taking over the role from Hector Rondon, after saving 20 games in 21 chances for the Yankees.

Andrew Miller stepped in to close for the Yankees on Monday after Chapman's departure.

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