The Boston Red Sox ended the first half of the season on a high note. They are in a position to be buyers, but that does not mean they will not entertain trading some of their own stars to get better.
The Boston Red Sox ended the first half of the season on a high note. They are in a position to be buyers, but that does not mean they will not entertain trading some of their own stars to get better.
Most buyers are not going to deal from their key contributors, but the Red Sox have already shown they are willing to do that. They traded their best hitter at the time, Rafael Devers, to the San Francisco Giants. Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer suggested that Aroldis Chapman could be moved at the deadline.
Chapman has a 1.18 ERA and 17 saves. He is having one of the best years of his 16-year career. He was named an All-Star for the eighth time this season, but he will be a free agent after the season.
"If Chapman did go, Garrett Whitlock and Jordan Hicks are guys with closer-caliber stuff who could get a shot in the ninth inning," wrote Rymer. "Further, Chapman is almost certainly punching above his weight right now. Even if he is an eight-time All-Star, recent seasons have seen him play more in the 3.00-4.00 ERA neighborhood with a high walk rate. Regression may be inevitable."
The Red Sox got Hicks from the Giants with the idea of him being a big arm in their bullpen. His fastball lights up the radar gun, and he could be the closer next season anyway.
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Trading Chapman now could help them land a starting pitcher or set them up for next season. However, they would need to be confident in Hicks's ability to close games.
More MLB: MLB writer suggests Red Sox could cut ties with Alex Bregman on one condition
Category: Baseball
