No tears for Cards as Chapman leaves Central

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Aroldis Chapman may well continue to give the Cardinals fits. But as the reportedly newest member of the Dodgers' organization, Chapman won't be able to do so quite as often.

The annual Winter Meetings opened on Monday with the Reds sending Chapman to the Dodgers for two Minor League players, FOX Sports reported. Chapman, now the former Reds' flame-throwing closer, had held the Cardinals scoreless in his last 25 appearances against St. Louis.

Chapman's departure from the National League Central is welcome news for the Cardinals, who last scored off Chapman when the team still had just 10 World Series championships and a man named Tony La Russa as manager. At the time of that last run, Chapman had one career save. He now leaves the Reds with 146.

As division opponents, the Cardinals and Reds will face each other another 19 times in 2016. The Cardinals will see the Dodgers only six times, however, leaving fewer opportunities for Chapman to stymie the Cards.

Since the start of the 2012 season, Chapman has allowed six hits -- only one for extra bases -- and six walks while striking out 46 over 25 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals. He has logged 14 saves against them.

Late in the 2015 season, manager Mike Matheny acknowledged that Chapman's dominance over his club affected how he managed some late-inning situations against Cincinnati. He insisted, however, that his club was confident they would soon break through against him. It hasn't happened yet.

"I refuse to give any guy in this league that much credit, saying we're going in having to get it done in eight [innings] because we can't hit this guy," Matheny said after an Aug. 5 loss to the Reds. "It's not going to happen. We're going to get him. We will. It's just a matter of time."