When the Aug. 3 Major League Baseball trade deadline arrives, the biggest question for the Boston Red Sox is whether or not they will end up cutting ties with All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman and trading him elsewhere.
If the Red Sox can turn their season around, then it makes sense to keep him. But if the Red Sox cannot get back on track, then it would make sense to shop around and see what kind of prospect return Boston can get.
On Sunday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared a column and noted that Chapman's trade value has "gone up."
"Well, the good news for the Boston Red Sox’ struggles is that closer Aroldis Chapman’s trade value has gone up," Nightengale wrote. "There won’t be a single reliever traded at the deadline who will have a fresher arm. Chapman, who has converted all 13 of his save opportunities with a 0.46 ERA, has pitched just twice in the last 26 days going back to May 18, and has pitched only 19.2 innings this entire season.
Chapman has been awesome so far this season for Boston. But the idea of a trade call comes down to whether or not Boston thinks it can fight for a playoff spot. If not, then you shop at Chapman for a haul. But if there's any chance of making the playoffs, you take that.