Report: Reds telling teams they haven't agreed to trade Chapman
The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly telling teams they haven't agreed to trade All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman to the Los Angeles Dodgers, fueling speculation in Nashville that the two sides could be working on a multi-team blockbuster instead.
The latest news from ESPN's Jayson Stark comes on the heels of multiple reports suggesting the Reds and Dodgers might be working on a larger deal involving more players and teams.
It was widely reported earlier Monday that both sides had agreed to a trade that would send Chapman to the Dodgers in exchange for a pair of prospects, pending the review of medical records.
Arguably the best closer in baseball, Chapman posted a 1.63 ERA and 116 strikeouts across 66 1/3 innings last season, while converting 33 saves. The 27-year-old, whose career 42.9 percent strikeout rate is the best mark in baseball history, owns a 1.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over the past four seasons.
He's expected to earn $12.9 million through arbitration in 2016, his final year before hitting free agency.