If there’s one obvious trade deadline target for the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s relief pitching.
The bullpen already looked like a weak point for the Phillies, then José Alvarado got himself suspended for 80 games. Not only did that leave the Phillies without a closer for half the season, but he won’t be allowed to pitch in the playoffs, either.
The 36-23 Phillies don’t have to make a panic move, but by the trade deadline, they should have at least one new reliable bullpen arm. In the next two months, the sellers will reveal themselves.
One surprise seller could be the Boston Red Sox, who had a dismal second half of May and lost superstar Alex Bregman to the injured list. That might open the door for the Phillies to grab a perfect Alvarado replacement.
In a recent article, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer indicated that Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, a seven-time All-Star on a one-year contract, could be a fit for the Phillies at the Jul. 31 deadline.
“The Phillies will shop in the reliever aisle,” Lauber wrote.”With (Dave) Dombrowski leading the front office, the Phillies dealt for a reliever at three of the last four deadlines.”
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“Even if the Red Sox don’t fully wave the white flag, they could trade lefty closer Aroldis Chapman, who has provided a solid return… on their $10.75 million, one-year investment. He’s throwing more strikes, too, reducing his walk rate to 9%, his lowest mark since 2020.”
Chapman, 37, has a 1.88 ERA and has converted nine of 10 save opportunities. He’s still regularly throwing over 100 miles per hour, and has racked up 32 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Every contender will want Chapman if the Red Sox do make him available. Would the Phillies have the motivation to win the sweepstakes?
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