Report: Aroldis Chapman dealt to Dodgers, complicating Nats' plans

NASHVILLE - For the second straight day, the Nationals appear to have lost out on a possible prominent bullpen target. FOXSports.com was first to report the Dodgers agreed to send two prospects to the Reds for closer Aroldis Chapman. The deal is pending a review of medical records, according to the report.

The Nationals had reportedly been in trade talks for Chapman, who pitched out of Dusty Baker's bullpen when the new Nats skipper managed in Cincinnati from 2010-2013. The Nationals' interest in Chapman dates to the fireballer's arrival in the U.S. from Cuba when the Reds outbid them for his services in 2010.

The move gives the Dodgers an intimidating one-two punch in the back end of their bullpen with right-hander Kenley Jansen and Chapman. The hard-throwing Jansen went 36-for-38 in save chances with a 2.41 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings as the Dodgers closer last season. Chapman converted 33 of 36 opportunities while fanning 116 with a 1.63 ERA in 66 1/3 innings for the Reds in 2015.r

However, the Dodgers could end up with the same dilemma the Nationals ran into when they traded for veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon in late July, bumping right-hander Drew Storen back to a setup role despite only blowing two saves in 31 chances to that point of the season. FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that players who know Jansen do not believe he would react well if he loses the closer's job and is moved back to handle the eighth. The 28-year-old has closed for the Dodgers for the past four seasons.

Chapman is the third premier closer involved in a trade already this offseason. The Padres traded Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox and the Brewers shipped Francisco Rodriguez to the Tigers.

Another free agent reliever was removed from the board this morning when the Royals added to their stellar bullpen by signing veteran right-hander Joakim Soria. Soria was the Royals closer from 2007-2011 before moving on to stints with the Rangers, Tigers and Pirates.

The question facing Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is whether he's willing to part with some of the team's coveted prospects. Right-hander Lucas Giolito, 21, is widely considered the best pitching prospect in all of baseball and could make his major league debut with the Nationals during the 2016 season. Giolito seems to be off limits, as is 22-year-old infielder Trea Turner.

Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, 21, and right-hander Erik Fedde, 22, are also highly regarded pitching prospects who could be dangled in trades by the Nationals.