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Imrem: Cubs compromised franchise's integrity with Chapman

Sports figures often have a different view of the world than the rest of us have.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein sounded that way late Monday afternoon.

Epstein was asked whether the Cubs compromised their integrity by trading with the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman.

“I don't think we compromised our integrity by making this move,” Epstein said.

His snappy answer indicated that he meant not an ounce of integrity was compromised.

Maybe it wasn't. Maybe Chapman's alleged involvement last fall in a domestic violence situation is behind him. Maybe there will be no downside to acquiring perhaps baseball's best closer.

But it's difficult to imagine that anyone can be sure of that or sure that there isn't any more risk here than in any other player acquisition.

Epstein based much of his confidence in Chapman on a phone conversation they had before the trade was finalized.

Chapman was told that he would be expected to meet the Cubs high standards and was asked whether he could.

Chapman told Epstein that he would be what they wanted him to be.

The reference wasn't to being a pitcher whose fastball has hit 105 mph on the speed gun and whose career save percentage is above 90 percent.

No, Chapman was telling the Cubs that there would be no more bad-boy behavior from him.

Now think of yourself on the phone with the boss of a company that would be a lot fun to work at.

If you're asked whether you are going jeopardize the image of that company, are you going to say “yes”?

Are you going to add, “Sir, sorry, I can't promise that I won't do something inappropriate”?

Of course you aren't. You're going to answer as Chapman did and say you regret doing what you did and wouldn't ever do it again.

Now if you're the boss listening to someone like Chapman, you're going to believe him because you want to believe him.

My goodness, Chapman is so good, he could be Epstein's final puzzle piece to winning the Cubs' first World Series title since 1908.

The Cubs do have a collection of players and a manager in Joe Maddon that comprise a culture of classy conduct, so maybe this is the team that can smoothly absorb a player like Chapman just as the Yankees did.

“Look around the locker room,” respected veteran David Ross said. “All of us have made mistakes in our time.”

But there are mistakes and there is domestic violence.

To most athletes, off-field issues are fitting into the clubhouse and being a good teammate. Chapman's off-field issues are beyond the clubhouse, deep in his personal life.

The truth of the matter is the Cubs just a acquired a player that does compromise their integrity at least a little bit.

“Every chance to win is sacred.” Epstein said.

So the Cubs acquired Chapman and to be honest I might have, too.

“I certainly understand and recognize,” Epstein said, “there will be people who disagree with this.”

What they'll believe is the Cubs team just got a lot better, but the franchise just got a little worse.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

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