The Boston Red Sox have been on quite a roller-coaster ride this year. They came into the year looking like World Series contenders. Following a few injuries and the shocking trade of Rafael Devers, the Red Sox struggled. But they’ve since gotten hot and won a lot of games.
It seems like they’re on the fence about buying and selling at the trade deadline. There’s a chance the Red Sox can buy and sell at the same time this season.
Brian Burrows of Bo Sox Injection recently suggested the Red Sox could trade star closer Aroldis Chapman if they opt to sell ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Cuban flame-thrower (Aroldis Chapman) is having one of the best seasons of his career at age 37. He signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract in the offseason, making him one of the best rentals on the market,” Burrows wrote. “Back in 2016, the Yankees traded Chapman at the deadline to the Cubs for four players, including Gleyber Torres (the Cubs’ top prospect headed into the season). He’s much older now, but could still net at least one high-quality prospect if he’s moved.”
Trading Chapman seems like the kind of move the Red Sox should make, regardless of which way they lean at the deadline. Obviously, if the Red Sox are selling, they will look to trade Chapman. But if they’re buying, they could still look to deal away the star closer.
It’s unlikely the team will re-sign him in free agency at the end of the year. While Chapman makes the team better, he would likely be more valuable to the future of the team as a trade chip. Boston could potentially net one or two potential star prospects in a deal that ships Chapman out of town.