Reds' Jocketty hopes to trade Chapman before winter meetings

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said Wednesday he hopes to broker a deal for closer Aroldis Chapman before the league's top executives head to Nashville for the winter meetings in about three weeks.

Jocketty added, however, that nothing is imminent for Chapman. The four-time All-Star recorded 33 saves with a 1.63 ERA and led all relievers with a 41.7 percent strikeout rate over 65 appearances this season.

"We've been talking to clubs, but I don't think there's anything that's close," Jocketty told C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Hopefully we get something done with somebody before the winter meetings. We'd like to get moving on some things."

Chapman, a free agent at season's end, is projected to earn $12.9 million through arbitration in 2016 and has become one of Cincinnati's top trade assets as the club prepares for a "transition year," as Jocketty put it earlier this month. According to reports, the Reds are also willing to trade third baseman Todd Frazier and right fielder Jay Bruce this offseason, as well.

Blessed with unrivaled velocity, Chapman has already cemented his status as one of the most dominant relievers in history. The 27-year-old left-hander owns a 1.90 ERA with 0.96 WHIP since taking over as Cincinnati's closer in 2012, while his career 42.9 percent strikeout rate is the best mark in baseball history.