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Closing Time: Aroldis Chapman dealt to the Cubs

New York received an impressive collection of players in exchange for Aroldis Chapman, as the Cubs went all-in for 2016. (Getty Images)
New York received an impressive collection of players in exchange for Aroldis Chapman, as the Cubs are fully committed to winning it all in 2016. (Getty Images)

If you had any doubts as to whether the Chicago Cubs were all-in this season, the issue was resolved on Monday.

Chicago dealt four players to the Yankees, including elite shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, in exchange for flame-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman, a free agent to be. The Cubs filled a glaring team need with the absolute best option available on the market, so the short-term impact of this deal is obvious and significant. Chicago is undeniably a better ball-club. Chapman will get the ninth moving forward, nudging Hector Rondon to a setup roll.

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When Joe Maddon’s team is playing meaningful baseball deep into October, he’ll be able to give the season’s most important innings to a lights-out lefty with a fastball that averages 100.1 mph. Ridiculous. If you’re a Cubs fan, your team’s odds to win everything just improved in a non-trivial way. If instead you’re a fantasy owner with Rondon on the roster … um … let’s just hope your league uses holds as a category. He’s a drop in most mixed 5X5 fantasy formats, unless you’re using elite middle relievers to manage pitching ratios.

New York’s haul was substantial in this deal — Adam Warren, Torres, two lesser prospects — but the 19-year-old shortstop was the centerpiece. Torres has slashed .275/.359/.433 at High-A this season with 23 doubles, nine homers, 19 steals and 62 runs scored. He’s young for his level and he’s thriving, which is what you like to see. He was unquestionably one of the gems of an excellent Chicago farm system. I refuse to give an immediate grade to a deal in which a teenager is one of the key pieces, but it’s easy to see the motivation for both sides here. Torres is now the premier prospect in the Yankees’ minor league organization; Chapman is the premier closer in the National League.

Andrew Miller reclaims closing responsibilities in New York, which makes him arguably the A.L.’s most valuable reliever for fantasy purposes (or any purposes). He’s somehow still available in 11 percent of Yahoo leagues, so let’s get that situation corrected today. It sounds like he’s off the table as a trade chip for the Yankees.

While we’re on the subject of mega-trades and closer turnover, let’s note that Wade Davis is perhaps not entirely off the trade block. This would be the time to make that Kelvin Herrera add, ahead of the rush.

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A pair of blue-chip prospects made their big league debuts on Monday, somewhat quietly. David Dahl went 1-for-4, batting sixth and playing left field for Colorado, while Alex Bregman went 0-for-4 for the Astros, hitting sixth and playing third. Both of these kids were raking in the high minors prior to their call-ups, and both deserve attention in fantasy leagues of any size, depending on your team needs. Dahl has slashed .314/.394/.569 this season with 18 homers and 17 steals; Bregman has hit .306/.406/.580 with 20 bombs, and he has more walks (47) than Ks (38) on the season. At the moment Bregman is eligible at SS based on minor league usage, and he’ll gain 3B status after five starts or 10 appearances at the position.

Ryan Madson blew a save chance for the sixth time this year, serving up a walk-off gift to Adrian Beltre. That’s three blown saves in Madson’s last seven opportunities, if you’re keeping track of such things. Ryan Dull pitched a clean inning before Madson entered.

It sounds like Melvin Upton Jr. is headed to the Blue Jays, in exchange for a Single-A prospect. Full credit to the Pads for a successful Upton turnaround. This further complicates the outfield pileup for Toronto, but Upton will clearly play. Justin Smoak could ultimately be the playing time loser here.