"There's a lot of rumors and stuff out there right now," Chapman said through an interpreter. "I don't have any information, but my agent did say that [the Yankees are] talking to him. But that's all I have."
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported on Sunday night that Cubs shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, who was scratched from Sunday's Myrtle Beach game, would be a part of a deal between Chicago and the Yankees involving Chapman. FanRag Sports' Tommy Stokke also reported on Sunday that the two clubs had a Chapman-Torres deal in place and were hopeful to complete it by Monday.
Baseball Prospectus' Rian Watt tweeted on Sunday night that a trade sending Chapman to the Cubs for Torres and another prospect was near completion but was hinging on extension talks between Chicago and the flame-throwing left-handed closer, and that a four-year extension worth $60 million was on the table.
Torres, currently at the Class A Advanced level, is ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Cubs' top prospect and the No. 24 prospect in the game.
MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported late on Saturday that the Yankees have told clubs that they are willing to trade Chapman but intend to hang on to left-hander Andrew Miller. The Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Indians and Nationals have been linked to the 28-year-old Chapman in published reports.
Of those clubs, the Indians are believed to be Chapman's strongest pursuers. The Yankees have been scouting Cleveland's Minor League system for weeks, and Indians closer Cody Allen said on Sunday that he has spoken with manager Terry Francona about handing off his title, should there be a trade match.
"We've talked numerous times," Allen said. "I've always felt the same way. If we have an opportunity to go get an Aroldis Chapman or a Mark Melancon, or somebody at the back end, then the rest of us will slide back. We'll do what we've got to do to kind of give our bullpen some length, because that makes us a better team."
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago reported that the Indians have the best package on the table for Chapman, and while the Nationals remain interested, they are unwilling to part with top prospects for a rental player. Interest from San Francisco is said to have been overstated, while the Cubs seemed more interested in Miller.
Sunday's victory over the Giants improved the Yankees to 50-48, matching their season-high water mark of two games over .500 as managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman ponder if they are legitimate postseason contenders. If not, Chapman could bring pieces to help push for a title in 2017 and beyond.
"We don't want to see him go," Mark Teixeira said. "We're trying to win games. He's a big part of that. We want him here."
• Girardi: 'Block out the noise'
Chapman is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in 31 appearances for New York, recording 20 saves in 21 opportunities while striking out 44 in 31 1/3 innings. Chapman said that he has been trying to block out the noise and focus on being ready to pitch when called upon.
"It's tough. I feel comfortable here, I feel part of the family here," Chapman said. "Being traded halfway into the season is not as comfortable as starting there. But yeah, it's tough."
Chapman said that he has enjoyed his time in New York and would consider re-signing with the Yankees as a free agent.
"Oh yeah," Chapman said. "If there's a possibility and God willing, yes."
Should the Yankees deal Chapman, they will be seeking a greater return than they sent the Reds in December, when they bought low on the four-time All-Star with a four-player package of pitchers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis, plus infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda.
Count Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner as one person that would be in favor of keeping Chapman's triple-digit velocity in the Bronx.
"Everybody's been talking about it for a few weeks," Gardner said. "I'm a huge Chapman fan, I've been a Chapman fan since Day One when he got over here. He's been very professional, and I hope that not only is he here for the rest of this year but for the next however many years as long as I'm here.
"He's a great competitor, he works hard and I love handing the ball to him at the end of the game. As long as he's on the same team as me, I don't have to face him."
Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch, on Facebook and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Yanks, Cubs reportedly near Chapman deal
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