When the Yankees traded for Aroldis Chapman in December, they knew there was a pretty good likelihood that he would be suspended for his domestic violence incident. That's what scared the Dodgers off after he was originally set to be traded to LA. The only question regarding a possible Chapman suspension was: "How long?"
Well, we got our answer yesterday. 30 games. He had originally said he would appeal any MLB discipline, but has decided not to. For a number of reasons. As a result, Chapman's Yankee debut won't be until early May (which could end up being a good thing seeing as how overused the Yankees bullpen was last season).
Chapman taking the 30 games was probably the best result for all parties. It'll cost him over $1 million in salary, but doesn't affect his free agent status. If he'd been suspended for too long, Chapman wouldn't have been able to accumulate enough service time this season to become a free agent at the end of the year. That's important to him. So, you have to think that came into play with his decision not to appeal.
Likewise, 30 games was probably the best deal he was going to get. If he'd gotten something longer and appealed, there's no certainty it would've been reduced. It's also possible that whoever heard the appeal could've decided that it was too lenient and made it longer. And who knows when that appeal would've been heard and the ruling issued? His suspension would've started whenever that was, which could've been mid-June (or later). Now he and the Yankees know he'll miss the first 30 games at that'll be it. It takes the mystery out.
The Yankees were counting on Chapman being the closer in the ridiculous three-headed monster they built in the back of the bullpen. They'll still have that. It just won't start until May. All it means for the first month of the season is that Andrew Miller is still the closer and they need to figure out the seventh (hey, here's a novel thought: maybe the starter can go seven). But, ultimately, the Yankees will be fine. They anticipated this and made the Chapman trade anyway. I don't see this being that big a problem.
This could've created a very awkward situation for the Players' Association, which has also been avoided. Domestic violence is a very serious thing and the pro leagues need to do anything they can to prevent it. But it's the union's job to look out for the players, even if that creates an obvious conflict of interest by challenging a policy that the players themselves collectively bargained. It's especially tough here not just because the issue's so sensitive, but because the policy has only been in place since August.
Rob Manfred was in a tough spot, too. He had a relatively seamless first year as commissioner, but was challenged to act appropriately here. Chapman is the first player to be suspended under the domestic violence policy, and figuring out a punishment that fit the crime without being too harsh (and, thus, susceptible to being overturned on appeal) or too lenient (inviting the same criticism Roger Baddell got after he screwed up the Ray Rice situation so badly) wasn't going to be easy. But I think he did it here. Manfred got his point across without coming across as heavy-handed or too weak.
He'll face a much tougher call with Jose Reyes, who isn't even in Rockies camp right now. I'm sure Manfred is going to wait for the legal process to play out, but Reyes figures to face a much longer suspension than Chapman.
To his credit, Chapman realized the seriousness of his actions and understood the fact he was going to be suspended. That probably entered into his decision not to appeal. Chapman wanted to make it clear that he never laid a hand on his girlfriend, and that his gun was registered. But his actions were reckless and he knows it. That's why he doesn't own guns anymore.
Most of all, it's good for everyone that this situation was resolved before the start of the season. Chapman won't have it hanging over his head, the Yankees know how long they won't have their closer, and Manfred can focus on other matters, which will include the domestic violence case involving Jose Reyes. Everyone can move on and get ready for the 2016 season. A season which, by the way, gets underway in just over a month.
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