5) Dream Red Sox trade deadline candidate: Aroldis Chapman
So maybe you laughed at the dream scenario of the Red Sox acquiring Josh Hader and having a one-two punch of him and Kenley Jansen in the back of the bullpen. What about Aroldis Chapman? The Cuban Missile is his vintage self with the Kansas City Royals this year. He isn’t even their closer and it’s paying off. The gamble on him has given the Royals one of this summer’s most obvious trade candidates. Is he worth a look for the Red Sox?
The dream scenario here is even better when Chapman comes to the Red Sox and is the one to help shutdown the New York Yankees in the postseason. He undoubtedly would love to rejoin one of the contenders in the American League, especially the AL East, to help spoil his former club’s hopes of a championship. Chapman striking out Anthony Rizzo in the ALCS to help the Red Sox advance to the World Series would be a highlight to never forget.
Chapman’s history as a closer should make him pretty popular this summer in trade rumors for teams who aren’t so secure in the ninth inning. He might actually be an upgrade over Jansen, but the more important addition for the Red Sox is to have a high-leverage lefty in the bullpen.
It also doesn’t hurt that he’ll have some vengeance in mind each time they play the Yankees. Who says dreams can’t be sinister?