In the past several years top free agent relief pitchers who have signed earlier have tended to do better in the market than those who wait. Which suggests that, this year, top relief pitchers will try to sign early as well. Indeed, we’ve heard more rumors about Darren O’Day and Joakim Soria so far than most other players.
The Reds have a top relief pitcher they’d like to trade in Aroldis Chapman. And, given that relief pitcher free agent dynamic, they’d have more potential suitors for him if they act sooner rather than later. And Peter Gammons hears that sooner is definitely in the cards:
That's four people insisting this morning that Aroldys Chapman will be moved by the end of the weekend.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) November 12, 2015
Chapman is the most dominant reliever in the game, having struck out 546 batters in 319 career innings. Expect his price to be high.