Ronald Blum
AP Baseball Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Cincinnati Reds agreed to trade hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman to the Los Angeles Dodgers, pending approval of medical records, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the agreement, first reported by Fox, had not been announced.
Chapman, a 27-year-old left-hander, is eligible for free agency after next year’s World Series. He threw the 62 fastest pitches in the big leagues this year, ranging from 103.92 mph to 102.36 mph, according to Major League Baseball’s Statcast computer system.
Chapman was an All-Star in each of the last four seasons. He joins a bullpen that already has closer Kenley Jansen, who like Chapman is eligible for salary arbitration this winter and can become a free agent next November. Jansen, 28, has 80 saves during the last two seasons. He figures to be the Dodgers’ setup man if he stays.
After defecting from Cuba in 2009, Chapman spent the last six seasons with the Reds and saved 146 games in 164 chances. He had a 1.63 ERA this year, when he struck out 116 in 66 1/3 innings.
Seeking their first World Series title since 1988, the retooling Dodgers replaced manager Don Mattingly with Dave Roberts.
