Why Yankees pulled about-face to stomach Aroldis Chapman

Sports

Aroldis ChapmanThe Yankees were made an offer they could not refuse. So they didn’t.

The trade that brought Aroldis Chapman was not ideal. It did not bring the young, controllable starter the Yankees have most craved. It did bring a guy facing a suspension in 2016 over domestic abuse and gun allegations.

But as imperfect as all that might be, the Yankees were presented a deal they felt they could not ignore. So they held their noses and completed the transaction with the Reds because:

1. It forms one of the greatest power endgames in major league history — Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, who finished 1-2-3 in strikeouts per nine innings in 2015.

2. That endgame should offer…