Throughout the offseason, we'll be taking a look at the top news and rumors from the Hot Stove League.
RUMOR: The Dodgers, after losing out on Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija in consecutive days, are turning their attention toward the trade market and hard-throwing Reds closer Aroldis Chapman to make a splash.
REPORTED BY: Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports
THE DETAILS: The Reds and Dodgers are making progress on talks that would send Chapman to Los Angeles for a handful of prospects, according to Rosenthal's report.
Cincinnati has long been rumored to be willing to part with Chapman, who can become a free agent in 2016 and is likely to command top dollar in his next contract, which the rebuilding Reds simply cannot afford. The fireballer, who turns 28 in February, has been connected to a bevy of teams since the trade deadline, with the Reds seeking top young talent in return.
LAST SEASON: Perennially among the most dominant relievers in baseball, Chapman led all closers (50 or more appearances) with a 1.63 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings last season. He converted 33 of 36 save opportunities, a career low, but averaged nearly 100 mph on his fastball and shows no signs of slowing down.
OUR TAKE: The Dodgers already have a solid closer in Kenley Jansen, but the temptation to add the biggest name at the winter meetings would help save face for swinging and missing on Greinke and Samardzija, who instead signed with division rivals. Adding Chapman would help the Dodgers to keep pace in the NL West arms race and allow Jansen to operate in a set-up capacity, forming one of the game's best 1-2 punches.
There is no immediate word on the prospects rumored to be headed the other way in a potential deal. The Dodgers could offer one of Corey Seager or Julio Urias — a steep price to pay — but conventional wisdom would suggest they'd prefer a combination of lesser talent.
MORE: Seven potential destinations for Aroldis Chapman
