Without the midseason acquisition of Aroldis Chapman in 2016, perhaps we’re still counting the years – and generations – since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. The flame-throwing left-hander didn’t come without his share of controversy, but his impact on the club is incontrovertible.
Manager Joe Maddon squeezed every last drop out of Chapman’s left arm, especially in the postseason. But once the confetti had fallen and the parade concluded, his former club, the New York Yankees, swooped in with a massive five-year, $86 million deal to bring him back into the fold.