The long-unimpressive American League has remained underwhelming through Memorial Day, as there are still only five teams with winning records and the rest are bringing up the rear relatively close to each other. The Boston Red Sox are one of the least impressive teams among them, despite sitting three games below a Wild Card spot.
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has expressed his hope that his team can make the postseason, but their recent sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins has seemingly drastically altered some fans' expectations. Red Sox trade deadline scenarios have begun flooding social media, and very few portray Boston as a buyer.
Legendary closer Aroldis Chapman has grown into a top trade deadline candidate since revitalizing his career in Boston. MLB insider Bob Nightengale reports that the San Diego Padres are seeking more bullpen help ahead of the trade deadline and Chapman is one of their top candidates.
The Padres already have Mason Miller in their bullpen, one of the scariest, fastest pitchers in the league — he'd be in the National League Cy Young conversation if relievers ever got serious consideration. Miller has a 0.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, nine walks and 16 saves on 16 opportunities over 23.2 innings.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale reports Padres' trade interest in Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman
Having Chapman and Miller in the same bullpen might sound like overkill, but it'd be the most dominant late-inning staff in the league. Chapman has posted a 0.51 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 23 strikeouts, seven walks and 12 saves on 12 opportunities over 17.2 innings
There's nearly two months between Nightengale's report and the trade deadline. Not only are the Red Sox not far enough out of contention to justify selling just yet — a weeklong winning streak could shoot them right into a Wild Card spot — they could reinforce their offense to fix their biggest issue. Their pitching and defense is elite, all they need is a bat with more power and a few players to go on a hot streak before they're in the playoff conversation.
Chapman also has a conditional mutual option on his contract that goes into effect if he pitches more than 40 innings this season, which he will, barring an injury or another unforseen circumstance. Since it's a mutual option, Chapman would have to accept as well, but the Red Sox could hope to keep him around for a better run next season.
Boston may well end up being a seller at the trade deadline (which MLB has pushed to August this year), but it's too early to trade Chapman in an obvious sign of surrender now. The Red Sox could still make a run and end up in a Wild Card spot by the time the deadline comes. If not, another team more desperate for bullpen help than the Padres are may be willing to pay an exorbitatnt price in a trade for Chapman.
Add us as a preferred source on Google