🖥 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

Spencer Jones

May Miss Another Game Sunday
Jamal Murray

Iffy for Sunday's Action
Josh Hart

Tagged as Questionable for Sunday
Ja Morant

Out Sunday
Michael Porter Jr.

Resting on Sunday
RJ Barrett

Unavailable Sunday
Brandon Ingram

Could Remain Out Sunday
Scottie Barnes

Uncertain for Sunday
Joel Embiid

Questionable to Play Sunday
Tidjane Salaün

Tidjane Salaun Available Versus Jazz
Grant Williams

Ready for Season Debut
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

off the Injury Report for Sunday
Kevin Huerter

Active on Saturday Night
Jalen Smith

Back for Bulls Saturday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable on Sunday
Zach Collins

Without Timetable for Return
Julian Champagnie

Will Play Saturday
Sam Hauser

Out Saturday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Good to Go Saturday
Isaiah Stewart

Out Saturday
Kawhi Leonard

Will Suit Up Against Detroit
Chandler Stephenson

Jaden Schwartz Replaces Chandler Stephenson in Kraken Lineup
Brandon Saad

Won't Play This Weekend
Shea Theodore

Returns to Golden Knights Lineup Saturday
Jaccob Slavin

Returns Against Kraken
Travis Konecny

Ruled Out Saturday
Brad Marchand

Misses Saturday's Game
Corey Perry

Available Saturday
William Nylander

Returns From Six-Game Absence
Mark Scheifele

Scores Twice as Jets End Skid
John Carlson

Records Two Assists Friday
Karel Vejmelka

Picks Up Win No. 20
Clayton Keller

Dishes Out Three Assists Friday
Jamie Benn

to Remain Out Saturday
Ilya Mikheyev

Expected to Play Saturday
Alexander Kerfoot

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Friday
John Klingberg

Could Return Sunday
Noah Laba

Could Return Saturday
Travis Konecny

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Kevin Stenlund

Available Friday
Anze Kopitar

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Aliaksei Protas

Back in Action Friday
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
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
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
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
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
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette

RANKINGS

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