The Texas Rangers are off to a bit of a slow start this season, though they are close in a weak American League West, just 1 1/2 games back with a 15-16 record. The team has missed the postseason each of the last two years since winning their first World Series title in 2023.
However, they may not be too far off from making it back to the postseason. Perhaps all they need is a little bit of help in their bullpen, particularly at the closer position.
In 2023, they made a trade to land left-hander Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals, which gave them a proven back-end arm for the stretch run. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicts that Texas will make a play for the top closer available and that Chapman could be that guy for the Rangers if the Boston Red Sox sell.
“If the Phillies and Red Sox continue to flounder, maybe Jhoan Duran or Aroldis Chapman will be auctioned off to the highest bidder,” Miller wrote.
“If the Phillies and Red Sox continue to flounder, maybe Jhoan Duran or Aroldis Chapman will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
Rangers Tabbed to Potentially Swing Big at Deadline
The Rangers did not add a closer last summer at the deadline, and it ultimately cost them a chance to compete in the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2024. The moves they did make to beef up the bullpen didn’t quite address the closer position.
However, Chapman would make sense for them. He played a key role in them winning their first title back in 2023 and posted a 2.25 ERA in the postseason with six holds.
The Red Sox will likely sell high on Chapman. He has a mutual option for 2027, but those rarely get exercised, so the veteran left-hander is essentially a rental, and rental relievers do come in high demand at the trade deadline.
But a reunion with Chapman would make sense as long as the Rangers are willing to part with a few top prospects. He’ll be costly given his hot start to the season, but it might be worth the risk if the Rangers hope to reach the postseason for the first time since 2023.
The 38-year-old owns a 1.04 ERA with five saves for the Red Sox this season. Even at an older age, he is still one of the top closers in Major League Baseball, so it would make sense for him to be on the trading block if Boston sells.
Chapman Could Fit Rangers Perfectly
Chapman’s first stint in Texas was short, but impactful. The Rangers know what he is capable of and what he was able to do for them in 2023. He is an eight-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, so he has a strong track record.
It will be interesting to see if the Rangers decide to make another push for him. He might be more expensive this time around, but it’s worth the risk if Texas wants to make a push.
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