Major League Baseball’s calendar has officially moved into the month of July, and trade deadline season is upon us. For teams like the Boston Red Sox, they are one of the fringe MLB clubs that don’t exactly know what they will be doing. They are certainly in the thick of things in the American League Wild Card race at least, sitting at 43-44, but how they play up to the All-Star break will likely decide their mindset at the deadline. On one hand, Craig Breslow has indicated they could be buying depending on where they stand. However, in a recent article by The Athletic, MLB executives have Boston dealing away their top reliever.
Boston certainly has many tradeable assets, but they have already dealt their best player in Rafael Devers, to the San Francisco Giants. This has led to many rumors surrounding players like Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and, recently, closer Aroldis Chapman to be traded, and for Boston to embrace the full youth movement.
Aroldis Chapman Expected to be Traded
In the recent article by The Athletic’s Jim Bowman, MLB executives concluded that Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman will be traded before the deadline.
Here is what Bowman said about Chapman being the “most likely reliever traded”:
“The execs overwhelmingly picked Chapman as the reliever most likely to be traded in July. The 37-year-old is having a banner season, posting a 1.32 ERA over 37 appearances with 14 saves and 50 strikeouts in 34 innings. He would be a difference-maker in any bullpen. Two years ago, Chapman was traded from the Royals to the Rangers in a late-June deadline deal for lefty Cole Ragans and a minor-league outfielder.”
Chapman is ahead of other names like David Bednar, Félix Bautista, and Jhoan Duran. In Chapman’s 16th season, he is as good as ever. He’s posted a 1.8 WAR as a relief pitcher before the All-Star break. Certainly should be on his way to his eighth Midsummer Classic appearance in Atlanta in a couple of weeks. His FIP is also a microscopic 1.79.
Why Would Boston Want to Trade Him?
The most likely reason that the Boston Red Sox would want to get rid of Chapman is because of what they can get in return. As Bowman outlined, the Kansas City Royals got Cole Ragans, a southpaw who is now an ace, a couple of years after being dealt. Chapman went to the Texas Rangers, who eventually won the 2023 World Series title. It’s unclear who may be the favorite to land Chapman, but some teams that come to mind as having real interest are the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers.
Trading for Chapman would solidify any MLB clubs bullpen, and if traded to a contender, would make that contender an immediate pennant threat, Relievers are so important at this year, and if Chapman is the most likely to be dealt, that means something for both the Red Sox, and the team that would acquire him. As the deadline looms, Boston continues to be one of the most interesting teams in baseball.
Boston Red Sox Expected to Trade All-Star Pitcher by MLB Trade Deadline