The New York Yankees have found success in the 2017 free-agency market. New York reunited with Aroldis Chapman, who spent the majority of the 2016 regular season with the Yankees before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs.
Chapman and the Yankees agreed on a five-year, $86 million deal, the four-time All-Star told ESPN’s Marly Rivera.
“I love the organization, they welcomed me with open arms, and that’s why I decided to go back,” Chapman told Rivera on Wednesday night after agreeing to the largest contract ever for a reliever. “I was hoping I had a chance to go back, and it happened.
“Every player dreams of being a Yankee, and if they don’t, it’s because they never got the chance.”
Chapman’s deal includes a trade restrictions including that Chapman cannot be dealt to some West Coast teams and cannot be dealt at all during the first three years of the contract.
“I just don’t want to go that far,” he said. “I did have the opportunity to stay here near my house [with the Miami Marlins], but no, I leaned more toward New York. I like the Bronx more.”
When Chapman was traded to Chicago, the Yankees received four prospects, featuring 19-year-old Gleyber Torres, who recently won the Arizona Fall League MVP.
“They are full of talented young players who want to prove themselves,” Chapman said of the Yankees, who finished 84-78 last season. “Last year, in a short time, they proved they can be a great team.”
“I wanted six years but could not get it,” he said Wednesday night. “I’m happy with my five years.”
Chapman was a critical piece to the Chicago Cubs World Series Championship win and was used heavily during the playoffs and World Series despite his obvious fatigue, at times.
