TORONTO — It is difficult to imagine the Yankees reacquiring a player who left them on such poor terms, or the Red Sox helping their rivals by dealing them what could be the best reliever on the trade market this summer.
But just in case both scenarios were to happen, Aroldis Chapman has made it known he would first want an apology from Brian Cashman.
“What happened, happened,” the Red Sox closer told ESPN Deportes. “If something like this were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first.”
When asked if that person was Cashman, Chapman said, “Yes.”
Chapman, who has a 0.46 ERA and 13 saves for the Red Sox this year, last pitched for the Yankees in the third-to-last regular-season game of the 2022 season.
The lefty, who was no lock to make the postseason roster because he had struggled and lost his closer’s job earlier in the season, then blew off a mandatory workout ahead of the ALDS with what Aaron Boone said then was an unacceptable excuse. Cashman also fined Chapman for missing the workout.
That same season, Chapman had missed nearly a month with a leg infection that stemmed from getting a tattoo, with Cashman saying there were “questions about whether he’s been in all in or not for a little while.”
The 38-year-old Chapman had seemed to close the door on the Yankees last year anyway, saying on a podcast that if he were told he was being traded to New York, “I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
Whether Jasson Domínguez is activated off the injured list Friday or needs a few more rehab games this weekend, the Yankees have an interesting decision coming.
Assuming none of the current position players are dealing with hidden injuries, the Yankees have three options to make room for Domínguez on the active roster: optioning Spencer Jones, Anthony Volpe or Max Schuemann back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Domínguez, the switch-hitting outfielder who played his fourth rehab game Wednesday while coming back from a mild AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, could serve as an important piece for the Yankees, especially while Aaron Judge is sidelined with a stress fracture in his first rib.
Before Domínguez got hurt, he was better as a right-handed hitter than he was last season, giving him value in the lefty-heavy Yankees lineup (and outfield).
The lefty-hitting Jones has looked better so far in his second big league stint — including hitting his first home run Tuesday — but only one of his 12 starts has come against a left-hander. If the Yankees want to keep Ben Rice or Paul Goldschmidt at DH almost every day, that would seemingly limit Jones’ chances for playing time with Domínguez back in the fold.
Volpe, the subject of most of the fan angst these days, has gotten some run at shortstop with José Caballero being needed in right field, though Caballero would likely become less of a factor there once Domínguez returns (whether the Yankees shift Cody Bellinger to right field or decide they are comfortable trying Domínguez there).
So with Volpe in the midst of a 2-for-24 stretch, does that open the door for Caballero to reclaim more starts at shortstop and make Volpe expendable?
Schuemann has done well in a utility role since coming up in late April, seemingly making an impact whenever he plays.
But he also may become repetitive if Caballero returns to a true super-utility role now.
After pitching in one rehab game Wednesday night, Angel Chivilli was activated off the injured list and optioned to SWB. The hard-throwing reliever had been on the IL since April 25 with right shoulder discomfort.
