Aroldis Chapman Says He Doesn't Remember Agreeing To Cubs Off-Field Expectations (UPDATED)

Aroldis Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs on Monday and the organization immediately released a statement claiming the closer had agreed to abide by certain off-field expectations. On Tuesday, Chapman claimed he was tired and has no memory of agreeing to such requirements.

Chapman was suspended 30 games to open the season as the result of a domestic violence incident this offseason. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts issued the following statement as the team announced the trade, obviously he was hoping to get ahead of any negative press related to trading for a domestic abuser:

The fact that the Cubs made such a big deal out of that conversation with Chapman and he didn’t seem to even care is a pretty big deal. Not only does he need to answer questions like that better and handle himself in a more professional manner, the Cubs need to put this fire out quickly.

There was a lot of backlash over the North Siders making a deal for Chapman. Yes, he’s great on the mound and a sensational closer, but the idea of adding a domestic abuser simply to win baseball games is pretty awful. Now with Chapman’s foolish statement the Cubs should prepare to face even more backlash.

UPDATE: Chapman and the Cubs are in full damage control mode.

You’re never going to convince me he “blanked” when asked the question. But at least the Cubs quickly tried to put the fire out.