City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito: Yankees should reconsider Chapman trade

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is crying foul at the Yankees' recent acquisition of the embattled, star closer Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds, allegedly fired

News 12 Staff

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Dec 31, 2015, 4:27 AM

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Updated 3,278 days ago

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is crying foul at the Yankees' recent acquisition of the embattled, star closer Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds, allegedly fired eight gunshots into his garage and choked his girlfriend this past October in a domestic dispute.

Mark-Viverito says the Yankees should reconsider the trade for the fireballing relief pitcher, which she described as "appalling."

Chapman has since admitted to shooting up the garage, but denies choking his girlfriend.

Investigators say they did not charge him for the incident due to inconsistencies in testimony.

"I think it was really wrong of the Yankees to have signed this guy," Mark-Viverito says. "And we all want the Yankees to do well, but at the expense of what?"

Other critics say it's the responsibility of the league to hold players accountable for transgressions, but some fans have dismissed that argument, saying private matters should remain off the field.

Major League Baseball is conducting its own investigation as part of its new domestic violence policy. It has yet to issue a ruling.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says the team has done its due diligence and understands the risk of Chapman's acquisition.

Chapman is commonly ranked as one of the game's best closers and has been in four consecutive All-Star games. He's known for throwing his fastball above 100 mph.