If signing Aroldis Chapman wasn't right, the Dodgers better not be wrong.
In the latest slap in L.A.'s face that has become the 2016 offseason, the flame-throwing left-hander went to another longtime rival, the Yankees, in a trade with the Reds for four minor leaguers, according to ESPN.
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The Dodgers weren't expected to sign Chapman after they learned of a police investigation into an accusation of domestic violence against the reliever at his home in Davie, Fla.
Chapman's girlfriend accused him of "pushing and choking her during a verbal altercation that began after she 'found something on his phone that she did not like,'" ESPN reported. "Chapman told police he poked the woman on the shoulder and she fell to the ground."
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Chapman was never arrested or charged with a crime because of conflicting stories and the refusal by witnesses to cooperate with police, ESPN added.
The district attorney's office still is investigating, as is Major League Baseball, who could suspend the 27-year-old Chapman under its new domestic violence policy. But the news just reminds Dodgers fans of the lack of activity by Los Angeles so far in the offseason.
The Diamondbacks outbid them for Zack Greinke, who had a 51-15 record in L.A. the past three years. They had another deal in place for Seattle pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma that fell through over his physical, and he ended up re-signing with the Mariners.
And the Dodgers also sat by as free-agent pitcher Johnny Cueto signed with the rival Giants.
For a team that had the highest payroll in the majors the last two seasons, the lack of movement in the offseason was puzzling, at best.
Team president Stan Kasten said in an interview with ESPN he still believes the Dodgers could be better in 2016 than they were last season, and be in much better long-term health based on their prudence in refraining from overpaying for free agents.
"Fans look at the short-term snapshot and maybe don't have enough time to reflect on what we have been spending a lot of our time and energy and money building here in L.A.," he said. "We all know the next wave of players is very close to getting to the majors this coming year. Behind them, we think two to three years from now we have a very, very deep roster of other prospects highlighted by the investments we've made internationally. There are two movements on the way and that's what we said we were trying to do from the day we arrived."
The Dodgers should be lauded for taking the high road with Chapman. If he is suspended, their concerns are validated. And even if he is not suspended, if the Dodgers believe something happened, their retreat deserves to be noted for its honor in doing what they believed was right.
Then again, they could become poster children for the adage about where nice guys finish.
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