🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Implications of Aroldis Chapman's Return To Yankees

By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Griffin analyzes the fantasy impact of Aaroldis Chapman joining the Yankees, including whether he's a viable 2017 fantasy baseball draft pick, value or sleeper.

When it comes to closers, one of the most recognizable names is Aroldis Chapman.

Part of it might have been from the domestic violence incident that saw him miss the early portion of the 2016 season. Most of it though was his playing a huge part in helping the Chicago Cubs break their 108-year World Series drought.

Now he's back with the Yankees, the team that traded him to Chicago last season. How will his return to the Bronx help his team? Most importantly, how will he help you possibly win your fantasy baseball title?

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

2017 Fantasy Baseball Outlooks

As brilliant as he has been, he has also not cracked the 40-saves mark. The highest that he's reached is 38, twice. Last season was also the first year since '11 that he did not record over 100 strikeouts. His other numbers don't show any signs of trouble. His 0.86 WHIP was his third-best since coming up to the Majors. He also posted a 1.55 ERA. This is a guy who can still produce a great body of work for his team and anyone who picks him in their draft.

Overall, he was having a very strong year for the Yankees, but Brian Cashman thought that blowing up the team and restocking the minors was a more prudent course of action. That seemed to work since the team has a system now with a lot more blue-chip prospects. Add the fact that they managed to bring the fireballing Cuban back after the trade and the future looks very bright. 2017 might not be the year, especially since the Red Sox now have a three-headed-monster in Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello. David Ortiz may be gone, but they still have a stacked lineup. The Yankees should aim to contend in 2018.

Chapman has the closer's spot. The Yankees would be foolish not to give it to the guy that is already battle-tested in the playoffs, even with the year that Dellin Betances had. They have to hope that returning him to a regular ninth-inning role will bring about their usual results of hitters flailing at pitches they can barely see. This Yankees squad is also one that has hope for the future, one that he will be a part of for the next five years. Chapman wants to celebrate another World Championship, this time in the Bronx. If he stays healthy, he will get his numbers. He's only turning 29 this February. Only one concern - he will be pitching to a young catcher in Gary Sanchez since Brian McCann is no longer there. Chapman knows how to get people out. There should be a lot more in the tank. Shouldn't there?

The only concern for anyone who picks Chapman is whether his bizarre use by Joe Maddon in the World Series was a harbinger for things to come. This is a man who throws over 100 miles-per-hour regularly and there are only so many that are left in his arm before something goes kablooey. It may or may not be in '17. You just have to wonder when the bill is going to come due. In other words, have a solid backup option in mind if you do draft him because you don't want to be scrambling on the waiver wires for someone in June. He's going to be a high-risk/possible high-reward nearly every year from now on. He's certainly very valuable, but know that he could backfire on you very quickly if something goes wrong.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
P.J. Washington

Doubtful Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Questionable Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Available Thursday
Corey Kispert

Hawks Land Corey Kispert
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP