If the Boston Red Sox are open for business following the Rafael Devers trade, the Philadelphia Phillies could be enthusiastic buyers.
The Red Sox shipping Devers to the San Francisco Giants has been the talk of the sport for the last two days. The timing was especially strange, as the Red Sox traded the three-time All-Star hours after they won their fifth-straight game to get back above .500.
Now that they no longer have their best hitter, the Red Sox are in limbo six weeks ahead of the trade deadline. They’re still pledging to compete for the playoffs, but without Devers, they might not win enough games to continue that quest in earnest.
That’s why one baseball writer believes the Red Sox could trade their seven-time All-Star closer.
On Tuesday, Matt Grazel of FanSided urged the Phillies to acquire Red Sox left-hander Aroldis Chapman, who is one of the elite relievers in the sport this season even as a 16-year veteran.
“Chapman… looks rejuvenated following the last few years when he did not look as sharp during 2022 with the New York Yankees, part of 2023 with the Texas Rangers, and the previous season as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates,” Grazel wrote.
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“Chapman signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox last offseason and will likely be traded by the deadline. The lefty can still throw wicked pitches that reach over 100 mph. He would make the Phillies’ bullpen more formidable.”
Chapman, who picked up his 13th save of the season by striking out the side on Monday night, owns a 1.50 ERA and 12.6 K/9 this season. And it’s the 7.8 percent walk rate, which would be the lowest of any full season in his career, that really illustrates the improvements the 37-year-old has made in Boston.
The statement that Chapman is “likely” to be traded is somewhat up for debate. The Devers move made the Red Sox’s plans over the next month very tricky to discern, especially with the context of their winning streak.
But if he’s available, the Phillies could certainly use him.
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