How does the Aroldis Chapman trade effect the Red Sox?
By Noah Small
With the Chicago Cubs completing a trade for the New York Yankee’s Aroldis Chapman, how does this effect the Boston Red Sox heading towards the deadline?
Phew, we’ve made it another day. One more day that the Boston Red Sox didn’t sell the farm. One less day to make it safely through the trade deadline.
At this point, every day we can look out and see the handsome Cuban himself, Yoan Moncada, still in the Boston system is a good day. And if his teammate, Andrew Benintendi, is still local as well, then it’s that much better.
But really, how much longer can we except Boston to stand still?
Yesterday, I wrote on why the Red Sox need to stand pat during this trade deadline. To my disappointment, this article was shortly followed by a tweet from one Jayson Stark, ESPN baseball columnists and insider, saying the Red Sox are still looking to do “something big” before the deadline. And, to make matters worse, shortly thereafter the Cubs finalized a speculated trade by bringing in former Yankee’s fire-balling closer, Arlodis Chapman.
It will be a white-knuckle week for me to say the least.
The question that arises from these consecutive events is how do they really effect the Red Sox?
Obviously, an insider hearing from other clubs that the Sox are still trying to put together a massive deal should be pretty self-explanatory. But, that in no way means a move is guaranteed, and I can only hope that for instance, the reported White Sox asking price of “5 top prospects”, would be more than enough to discourage Dave Dombrowski and Co.
The real wild card here is the Champan deal. The Cubs, by bringing in a rocket arm to their bullpen (and just days after adding competent left-hander Mike Montgomery) have essentially addressed their only pressing need and acknowledged weakness. This will have immediate repercussions for both the other NL contenders – the Giants and Nationals – but, might not be limited to just them, as the aftershock could reach as far as Boston.
The Red Sox shouldn’t have the same “do or die” mentality as Chicago, as the Cubs have every right to be desperate, differing them greatly from the Sox. But, you can be sure the Red Sox management will not enjoy being showed up by their former front-man Theo Epstein, and his other ex-Boston henchman, including the much beloved Jon Lester and David Ross.
If the Sox are already looking and talking big moves with other teams, this could very well encourage them to step-up the intensity and fervor of these pursuits. Furthermore, unlike Baltimore, Toronto, and many other teams in the still undecided American League, the Red Sox are one of only a few who have the pieces to close such a deal.
You would be hard pressed to find a selling club who does not have Boston in their top three of teams they desire to deal with. As has been covered countless time, the prospects the Red Sox possess are some of the most valuable trade chips in the league. So, whenever and whoever Dombrowski and the Sox management would like to trade for, they have the ability to close any desired deals. And, with an American League as wide open and free-range as it is this season, it will be difficult for Boston not to think “why not us?”
The only real competition faced, whom the Sox might be outclassed by, will come by way of the National League to only be played in the World Series. Boston might very well look to bulk up for a long postseason run, knowing the hardships other AL teams – especially in the East – will have to do the same. And, to not get embarrassed in a Championship Series against a mega-team like the one in Chicago, could make a deal or two that greatly hurts them down the line.