CHAPMAN TRADE KEEPS ON PAYING HIGH DIVIDENDS

(Nov. 3, 2016 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

So unless you've just joined us, you know that the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series after a 108-year drought. You also know that there were a number of key strategies, which enabled the Cubs to finally grab hold of baseball's most precious prize. Keys like situational hitting, aggressive base running, incredible defense and of course amazing pitching won the Cubs the Series. And one of those keys within those categories includes Aroldis Chapman and his powerful presence on the mound in the late innings. Yes, the Cubs made a move before the trade deadline to pick up the lethal closer but what we got in return continues to earn us dividends, which will put us in the same place the Cubs are now in a few short years or less.

(Tim Holle | Brevard County Manatees)

On Saturday, The Arizona Fall League named Yankee prospect (Cubs' prospect before the Chapman trade) infielder Gleyber Torres the 2016 Most Valuable Player for this fall season. He's the youngest MVP in AFL history (at age 19) to earn this title. He joins the ranks of new Yankee first baseman Greg Bird who earned this honor back in 2014.

(Tim Holle | Brevard County Manatees)

According to CBS Sports, Torres finished the AFL with .403 batting average, the highest in the league. He also lead in on-base percentage and OPS.  And what is equally impressive is that fact that not only is he the youngest guy to do this, no one under 21 has achieved these kind of numbers.

MLB ranks him 17th-best prospect in baseball while other scouts believe he belongs in the top five.  I don't know about you, but I am excited.  By the way, did I mention he plays short stop?

As CBS Sports reports, "So far both the Yankees and Cubs have gotten exactly what they wanted from this trade. The Yankees got a top-notch prospect and the Cubs got Chapman, who helped them win the 2016 World Series. It's a classic win-win deal."

The Arizona Fall League traditionally runs from October to mid to late November and much like spring training, it allows prospects to gain more experience by playing for one of six teams in 32 games.  Prospects like Torres who seems to be headed in the right direction as he goes into his winter workouts and eventually spring training.  Look for him to be heating things up in Trenton and Scranton-Wilkes Barre this upcoming season.  We may even see him in the Bronx before long.

Things continue to look up for us.  I'm asking Santa for a pitcher this year! Let's hope I get my wish.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof