Reds Trade Aroldis Chapman To Dodgers - Trade On Hold

[key2win]

Aroldis Chapman traded to Los Angeles Dodgers from Cincinnati Reds

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to acquire All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jim Bowden.

Los Angeles will send two prospects -- neither of whom is prized 19-year-old left-hander Julio Urias -- to Cincinnati, the source told Bowden. The deal, which is pending Chapman's passing a medical examination, was first reported Monday by Fox Sports.

Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said last month that he hoped to move the hard-throwing left-hander before this week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

"We go through this at the trade deadline at the end of July, and now we have a bunch of players with names out there, so it's uncomfortable enough," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "So if anything happens with any of our guys, it would be nice if it happened sooner rather than later, but that's just the nature of the beast."

The Reds finished last in the NL Central the past season with a 64-98 record.

Los Angeles already has an established closer, with Kenley Jansen recording 36 saves in 2015 and 44 in 2014.

Presuming the Dodgers plan to keep both relievers, new manager Dave Roberts could have a difficult time getting one of them to accept a setup role. Both pitchers, who will be free agents after the season, are eligible for arbitration and figure to make more than $10 million in 2016.

In six years in the majors, Chapman has a 2.17 ERA with 146 saves. He has averaged 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Chapman threw the 62 fastest pitches in the big leagues the past season, according to Major League Baseball's new Statcast computer system. His fastest pitches ranged from 102.36 mph to 103.92 mph.

[key2win]

Aroldis Chapman fired gun, accused of choking girlfriend in domestic violence incident

An Oct. 30 incident between Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman and his girlfriend is the subject of a Major League Baseball investigation that is holding up a proposed trade of Chapman to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers reportedly were on the verge of acquiring Chapman from the Reds on Monday for two minor leaguers. But a source tells ESPN's Mark Saxon that the fate of the deal is in the hands of MLB, which is investigating the incident under its new domestic violence policy.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Monday night that while the deal is not dead, it could take weeks to complete.

Chapman fired eight gunshots in the garage of his Davie, Florida, home and was accused of choking his girlfriend during the Oct. 30 incident, according to a police report obtained by Yahoo! Sports.

Chapman's girlfriend told police that the incident started when she questioned him about something on his cellphone. Chapman admitted to police that he fired the gun but denied choking his girlfriend.

Police said in the report that they did not make any arrests because of inconsistencies in stories and no physical evidence of injuries. Four days later, Assistant State Attorney Marcie Zaccor also said there was insufficient evidence to charge Chapman in the incident.

According to MLB's domestic violence policy, a violator could be subject to suspension or a fine at the discretion of commissioner Rob Manfred.

Jay Reisinger, Chapman's attorney, told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night, "I've reviewed the facts as portrayed. On behalf of Mr. Chapman, we vehemently deny the allegations as stated. Beyond that, we have no further comment at this time."

The Boston Globe reported Monday night that the Red Sox, prior to obtaining San Diego Padres closer Craig Kimbrel last month, also had been exploring a trade for Chapman until a background check turned up the alleged domestic violence incident.

[tndcollectables]

He will be cleared, do counseling, 40 hrs public service.