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New York Yankees News: Aroldis Chapman Arbitration Hearing Set

By Kenneth Teape

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after the ninth inning against the American League during the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after the ninth inning against the American League during the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees News: The Yankees and Aroldis Chapman have not yet agreed on a salary for 2016, and an arbitration hearing date has been set.

One of the bigger moves made this winter during the MLB offseason was the New York Yankees bolstering their already strong bullpen. With Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances already available at the back end of their bullpen, the Yankees added to their riches by acquiring Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds.

Chapman has been must watch since making his debut with the Reds on August 31st, 2010 because of how hard he throws the ball, routinely clocking in above 100 miles per hour. In addition, he has a nasty slider that can cripple even the best of major league hitters.

Chapman took over as the closer for the Reds in 2012 and has never looked back. He has made the All-Star team in every year since 2012, recording 146 saves over that course of time. Chapman is also taking down strikeout records, as he has an otherworldly K/9 of 15.4 in his career, peaking at 17.7 in 2014.

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All of that factors into Chapman being one of the best closers in baseball, giving the Yankees yet another late inning weapon at their disposal. It also has Chapman aiming high in arbitration, as he filed for a salary of $13.1 million this offseason; the Yankees countered with an offer of $9 million.

Because of the gap, the two sides could be looking at an arbitration hearing to settle Chapman’s salary for the 2016 season. If that occurs, a date has been set for the hear according to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman.

With the big gap between the filed amounts, both sides could be motivated to get something done. Chapman doesn’t want to lose out on over $4 million because of a decision from a panel, while the Yankees would like to save as much money in the negotiations as possible. The midpoint of the two offers exchanged is $11.05 million, which should be a good starting point for negotiations between the two sides.

With over a week until the hearing is set to get under way, there is still plenty of time to come to an agreement. Chapman is one of only three arbitration players remaining that do not have a contract for 2016 yet, joining Colorado Rockies’ second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Houston Astros left fielder/designated hitter Evan Gattis.

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The Yankees have a lot of incentives to getting a deal done outside of arbitration, because if they cannot negotiate a price with Chapman for the 2016 season alone, it is tough to imagine them having much success next offseason when they have to negotiate a long-term contract with the left-handed closer.

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