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A report of domestic violence by Aroldis Chapman toward his girlfriend in an October incident has cast serious doubt over the Dodgers' potential trade for the Reds closer.
The incident at Chapman's home near Miami allegedly involved his girlfriend saying he choked her, and the Reds closer firing a gun eight times in his garage, per Jeff Passan and Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports:
No arrests were made after the incident, in which more than a dozen police officers were dispatched to Chapman’s home in Davie, Fla., around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30. Chapman’s girlfriend exited the house and hid in bushes following the argument that stemmed from something she found on Chapman’s cellphone, according to the police report.
"I've reviewed the facts as portrayed," Jay Reisinger, Chapman’s attorney, told Yahoo Sports on Monday night. "On behalf of Mr. Chapman, we vehemently deny the allegations as stated. Beyond that, we have no further comment at this time."
The Dodgers reportedly agreed to send a pair of prospects to Cincinnati for Chapman, a deal that was reported to be agreed upon Monday morning pending review of medical reports.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi would not acknowledge the pending Chapman trade earlier on Monday in a meeting with reporters, nor would he comment on the other not-yet-finalized deals for Chase Utley and Hisashi Iwakuma
New Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, as seen on MLB Network, told reporters that teaming Chapman with Kenley Jansen would be a boon for the Dodgers bullpen.
"If you have two of the best closers, back-of-the-pen guys sharing the same bullpen, that's exciting," Roberts said.
By Monday night, the Chapman incident was under investigation by MLB, which instituted a new domestic violence policy in August.
Source: The Aroldis Chapman trade now in the hands of MLB, which is launching an investigation after domestic violence incident surfaced
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) December 8, 2015
MLB officially investigating allegations of Aroldis Chapman domestic abuse allegations. #Reds
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2015
MLB spokesman says they are just learning of Chapman incident, and it will be handled as part of new domestic violence policy
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) December 8, 2015
MLB investigating domestic abuse charges on Chapman. Trade from #Reds to #Dodgers on hold
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
The new domestic violence policy, enacted on Aug. 21 by MLB and the MLB Players Union gives commissioner Rob Manfred broad powers to levy a suspension:
The Commissioner shall have authority to discipline a player who commits an act of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse for just cause. There is no minimum or maximum penalty prescribed under the policy, but rather the Commissioner can issue the discipline he believes is appropriate in light of the severity of the conduct. The Commissioner’s authority to discipline is not dependent on whether the player is convicted or pleads guilty to a crime.
A player may challenge his discipline before the parties’ Arbitration Panel, which consists of a representative of each party and the parties’ agreed-upon Impartial Arbitrator. A challenge to discipline will be governed by the "just cause" standard. The Panel may consider evidence of both aggravating and mitigating factors concerning the Player’s alleged actions when relevant and appropriate.
The names of the two Dodgers prospects involved in the reported deal never actually surfaced, but it seems even if there is a chance for a trade of Chapman at all, the transaction will take quite some time.
#Dodgers people had counseled earlier in day that more than medical review was holding up deal. Now difficult to see it going thru
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
#Dodgers Andrew Friedman declined to say when he became aware of Aroldis Chapman police report.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 8, 2015
Jocketty said he couldn't comment. But wouldn't say trade with Dodgers is dead
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) December 8, 2015
#Reds Jocketty: 'We’ve talked to several clubs. I notified all of them tonight that we’d step back a couple of weeks or whatever it takes.'
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) December 8, 2015
Can't see dodgers taking chapman today. He's not a viable trade candidate for anyone. Needs to clear name first.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 8, 2015
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox backed away from potential trade talks for Chapman in November because of the alleged domestic dispute. Boston did eventually trade for a top closer, acquiring Craig Kimbrel from the Padres on Nov. 13.