Cubs are close to acquiring Chapman

The Cubs’ pursuit of flame-throwing left-hander Aroldis Chapman has reached the critical stage.

Gleyber Torres, 19, the Cubs’ top infield prospect, was scratched from his game Sunday with Class A Myrtle Beach.

It’s not certain whether the size of the deal is tied to the Cubs securing an extension for Chapman, 28, whose contract expires after this season.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports first reported the Cubs and Yankees were in the final stages of a deal involving Chapman and Torres.

If the Cubs can land Chapman, they would have one of the most formidable closers in the game. Chapman is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 31⅓ innings. Chapman has 165 saves over the past five seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Yankees.

Chapman served a 30game suspension at the start of this season under Major League Baseball’s new policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The Cubs, who have made no secret of their desire to win their first World Series since 1908, could fall under scrutiny for acquiring a player with Chapman’s past, which includes numerous driving violations.

The Cubs are well-stocked at shortstop for the future with Addison Russell, 22, and Javier Baez, 23, who can play multiple positions. Torres is batting .275 with 9 home runs, 47 RBIs, 19 stolen bases and 62 runs in 94 games.

A source added that the Yankees were interested in outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who hit a home run and made a spectacular catch at the Futures Game two weeks ago at Petco Park in San Diego.

Jimenez is batting .322 with 10 home runs and 60 RBIs for Class A South Bend.

Marlins

Wei-Yin Chen will not make his scheduled start after being placed on the 15day disabled list due to elbow soreness he experienced after his most recent start in Philadelphia. The move is retroactive to this past Thursday.