The Boston Red Sox were just swept by the Milwaukee Brewers and are now 27-31. They are nine games back of the New York Yankees and are shaping up to be sellers at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox will get plenty of calls near the trade deadline if they decide to sell. They have a logjam in the outfield, and some of their young pitchers could interest teams looking for starters. However, they have a veteran arm in their bullpen that would be able to help many contenders. Newsweek’s Andrew Wright tabbed Aroldis Chapman as a player who could be traded if the Red Sox continue to struggle.
“Chapman is on a one-year deal, meaning he could become a perfect trade chip if the Red Sox struggles continue,” wrote Wright. “He has already been traded twice in his career, and his 2.14 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 23 appearances and 21 innings could send him on the move for a third time.”
Chapman is a seven-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and former Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year. The “Cuban Missile” can still light up the radar gun and would be an elite option in the backend of contending bullpens, even if they already have a closer.
Chapman is in his 16th season and has eight saves this season. He is no longer in his prime, but good relievers are always a commodity near the trade deadline. Chapman has the experience and skill to become a coveted player should the Red Sox give up on the season.
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He will be a free agent after the season anyway, so the Red Sox might as well try and flip him for a prospect. It will be difficult for the Red Sox to play their way back into the postseason picture, especially if Alex Bregman misses an extended period of time. Moving Chapman would be a move that helps their future.
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