Major League Baseball is nearing a decision on discipline for several players, including new Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Jose Reyes and Yasiel Puig are two other players under investigation.
Decisions on discipline for Reyes, Puig, Chapman under domestic-violence policy probable before camps open and likely no later than 3/1.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 8, 2016
Once March 1st rolls around, the decision will have to be made due to the unofficial start of the exhibition season. With MLB’s new policy on domestic violence, the rules state “there is no minimum or maximum penalty”, though the commissioner “has the authority to issue the discipline he believes is appropriate in light of the severity of the conduct.” The rule does not affect a player during spring training, but “players may challenge such decisions to the arbitration panel” according to the new policy.
Chapman has been under investigation by the MLB after a domestic incident took place in October with his girlfriend in the garage of his Miami home. With a possible suspension and the Dodgers backing out of a trade with the Reds to acquire the lefty hurler earlier this offseason, the Yankees saw a chance to trade for a player who can consistently throw 100 MPH and strengthen their bullpen, even if there were questions about Chapman off the field. The team believed the deal was too good to pass up, giving up four minor leaguers.
The length of suspension for Chapman has significant ramifications for the Yankees and all of MLB. If he’s suspended for 46-plus games, he loses service time and wouldn’t be eligible for free agency after the 2016 season. Therefore, the Yankees would have Chapman under team control for all of 2017 as well.
We’ll know soon enough when we can see the first glimpse of Chapman in pinstripes.
