The Chicago Cubs likely will lose closer Aroldis Chapman to free agency after he helped them win the 2016 World Series, but have they already found his replacement?
UPDATE (Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 11:11 p.m. ET): Here’s the latest on Davis-to-the-Cubs.
ORIGINAL STORY: Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports has reported that the Cubs and Kansas City Royals are talking about a trade that would send closer Wade Davis to Chicago.
At first, the deal appeared to be progressing along, but the latest report from Passan says a roadblock might have come up.
The “snag,” according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, is the Washington Nationals making a late entry into the Davis talks. The Nationals struck out in their attempt to trade for Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, who was dealt to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
Davis tallied 27 saves with 47 strikeouts, a 1.87 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 45 games for the Royals in 2016. He also played a huge role in Kansas City winning the 2015 World Series. Davis’ championship experience would be a nice fit on a Cubs team likely to compete for the World Series on a regular basis going forward.
Davis also played under Cubs manager Joe Maddon from 2009-12 when they were with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Thumbnail photo via Peter G. Aiken/USA Today Sports Images
