Chapman's return to the Yankees did not go as smoothly as expected in the first year of his five-year, $86 million deal. He finished 2017 with the lowest strikeout rate of his career (12.3 K/9, 32.9 percent) and even lost his job as the closer for a brief stretch during the second half of the season. His removal from the ninth-inning role closely followed a hamstring injury that surfaced around the middle of August. Additionally, he lost more than a month in the first half due to inflammation in his rotator cuff. Looking ahead, there are a few reasons to be encouraged. First, Chapman fanned 41.5 percent of the batters he faced in September, proving that he belonged back in the closer role as the Yankees entered the postseason. Second, he was very effective in the playoffs as well, allowing one earned run in eight innings while finishing with a 16:2 K:BB. Finally, even with the injuries, he didn't lose velocity. Chapman should remain in the top tier of closers entering 2018.

Chapman missed 30 games due to suspension at the outset of 2016 following a domestic violence incident at his home during the offseason. He recorded his first save as a Yankee in his second appearance with the club in early May and proceeded to reel off a stretch with 44 strikeouts in 31.1 innings before he was shipped to the Cubs in July. Chapman immediately became the preferred ninth-inning option in Chicago, and his dominance with the Cubs included a 1.01 ERA and 0.82 WHIP to go with a 46:10 K:BB over 26.2 innings. Despite the time lost with his suspension, Chapman piled up 36 saves in 39 chances, while posting ratios in the neighborhood of his previous career-bests with the Reds in 2012. Now 29, Chapman still lights up the radar gun with triple-digit velocity, while keeping hitters off-balance with his high-80s slider. After returning to the Yankees via free agency, Chapman will be among the first closers off the board on draft day.

Chapman has struck out more than 40 percent of the batters he's faced for four consecutive years now, while walking just 11.9% of the hitters he's faced over the last two years. Opposing hitters have hit below .200 for four years in a row as well. But all of his on-field accomplishments were overshadowed this offseason when the Reds attempted to trade him to the Dodgers, only to see the trade get overturned due to an incident where Chapman was accused of domestic violence. A deal to the Yankees was later completed, and then Chapman was hit with a 30-game suspension from the commissioner's office, which he accepted. This will keep Chapman out until the second week of May, and Andrew Miller will presumably handle the ninth inning until that time. Make sure to discount Chapman at least a couple rounds, but he should still be an elite fantasy reliever when he is finished serving his suspension.

Somehow Chapman found a way to be more dominant in 2014 than he had ever been before. He struck out a record 52.4% of the batters he faced, averaging 100.3 mph on his fastball, a full 2.0 mph faster than in 2013. He did all of that despite the scary spring training head injury that forced him to miss the first five weeks of the season. If Chapman has a weakness, it's his command -- he walked 12.0% of the batters he faced. Chapman is still evolving as a pitcher, too. He added a changeup (throwing it 6.7% of the time) and threw his slider more often (24.5%, as opposed 14.6 in 2013). The only question is how early do you want to take the plunge, and if you do get him, how do you support him with other pitchers?

For the second offseason in a row, Chapman's role hasn't yet been determined. Former manager Dusty Baker was the primary impediment to the plan to move Chapman to the starting rotation (though Chapman himself didn't seem to be sold on the idea -- whether he was always uncertain or whether Baker pushed him in that direction is up for debate), and now that Bryan Price has taken over as the manager, that door remains open. One thing seems likely -- even if Chapman closes, his usage won't be as rigid as it was last season, when often it was "save situation or bust" -- the Reds lost six extra-innings games where Chapman never got into the game. When he got on the mound, Chapman had a few hiccups but was typically dominant again, carrying a 15.8 K/9. His walk rate and home-run rate both trickled upward, and on occasion he struggled with his secondary offerings.

Chapman finished 2012 with a fantastic season as the Reds' closer. The Reds plan to convert Chapman to a starter for 2013 with Jonathan Broxton taking over as closer, but plenty of durability questions remain. He went through a dead-arm period in September despite the Reds taking great pains not to overextend him, plus he was shut down in the fall of 2011 at the Arizona Fall League when the Reds tried to stretch him out. Moreover, there's a pretty good argument that the Reds benefit the most by him pitching so well in high-leverage situations. The transition will be interesting to watch and the Reds plan to cap his innings and have him start between 25-30 games. With his excellent strikeout potential, he should be a very tempting player on draft day.

Chapman's primary issue this upcoming season is the same as it was entering 2011 - what is his role? The Reds wanted to transition him back to a starting role, but he experienced shoulder soreness in the Arizona Fall League after two outings and was shut down for winter, not pitching at all in Puerto Rico after being slated for a starting role there. When Chapman was healthy in 2011, he was dominant, but when he was off a little he was off a lot. The end result was a 71:41 K:BB and a 3.60 ERA over only 50 innings. The Reds absolutely need to find a way to better maximize his value, whether it be as a starter or as a high-leverage reliever. Another year of the same will be a waste of a tremendous asset. He won't be used as a closer, with the Reds signing Ryan Madson to fill that role in January.

What is Chapman's ultimate role with the Reds? Right now he's still in the bullpen, as the top set-up man, but he could either start for the Reds this year or could replace closer Francisco Cordero. Because the Reds already have six viable starter candidates, Chapman is more likely to stick in the bullpen for another year. There's some concern about Chapman's stamina should he transition back to starting, and obviously his velocity won't peak as high if he does get stretched out. Either way, his tremendous fastball (MLB record 105 mph) and slider will continue to wow crowds and confound opposing hitters. He should have value even if he doesn't close or start for the Reds in 2011.

Chapman may be the top international pitching prospect in the world. A lefty with a fastball that's reportedly been clocked at 102 mph, he was viewed as one of Cuba's top players before he defected last July. At age 21, he's seen as having tremendous upside and drew attention from many MLB teams, and eventually signed with the Reds. However, he may need to spend a full season in the minors before he's ready to face major league hitters. In his only test against major league hitters, he had a 5.68 ERA in 6.1 innings for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic - but did regularly hit 100 mph. He'll battle for a final rotation spot this spring.