The Boston Red Sox have one of the league's most interesting potential trade chips in eight-time All-Star Aroldis Chapman.
With Boston in last place in the American Leauge East, the noise around Chapman is just going to get louder and louder. But should Boston actually cut ties with him this summer? Red Sox broadcaster and former infielder Lou Merloni made the case for the move.
"Yeah, I’d be taking calls. And it sucks because he’s been that dominant, but it’s a one-year deal, teams need that closer and you can get a lot for him,” Merloni told Joey Copponi and Scott Neville on the ITM Podcast.
Chapman has a vesting option for 2027 if he pitches 40 innings. So it’s a one-year deal this second, but it likely won’t be by season’s end.
Chapman has been incredible in Boston. Last season, Chapman had a 1.17 ERA and an 85-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 61 1/3 innings pitched. Chapman also recorded 32 saves.
This season, he has a 0.44 ERA and a 28-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20 2/3 innings pitched to go along with 14 saves. Merloni isn't wrong. If Chapman is available, Boston will get a haul back.