There is growing confidence in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization that the team will be able to finish a trade for Cincinnati Reds All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.
Fox Sports earlier reported that the sides were progressing on a deal, with sources saying the Dodgers would be sending prospects to the Reds for Chapman, the hard-throwing 27-year-old from Cuba.
Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said last month that he hoped to move the closer before the winter meetings, which will take place this week in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Reds finished last in the NL Central the past season with a 64-98 record.
The Dodgers saw right-hander Zack Greinke agree to a reported six-year, $206 million deal with the Diamondbacks on Friday. Greinke led the majors in ERA the past season while helping the Dodgers win their third straight division title. He opted out of his contract to become a free agent.
Los Angeles already has an established closer, with Kenley Jansen recording 36 saves in 2015 and 44 in 2014.
In six years in the majors, Chapman has a 2.17 ERA with 146 saves. He has averaged 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Chapman threw the 62 fastest pitches in the big leagues the past season, according to Major League Baseball's new Statcast computer system. His fastest pitches ranged from 102.36 mph to 103.92 mph.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
