If the Boston Red Sox end up deciding to sell this summer, all eyes should be on All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman.
He has been shaky over the last week, but this is still a guy pumping 100 miles per hour-plus with a 2.19 ERA. You don't see that every day and any contender would be lucky to have him in their bullpen. It doesn't hurt that he's also a two-time World Series champion, so he has plenty of playoff experience under his belt.
If the Red Sox sell, he's the guy — along with potentially Sonny Gray — who could bring a large return back to Boston. On Monday, The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey made this point while saying Chapan is expected to be a "hot commodity" if he's made available.
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Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman
"What should they do: It seems pretty clear that the Red Sox should be sellers with more than half the season done," McCaffrey wrote. "Chapman, in particular, is likely to garner a haul in return given he’s been one of the league’s best relievers and would be a hot commodity for any playoff contender. [Willson Contreras] and [Sonny Gray] have no-trade clauses, but could consider waiving them to head to a contender. [Craig Breslow] may still try to trade Jarren Duran to free up the outfield logjam, even with [Roman Anthony] still on the injured list."
The Red Sox have won four straight games and are technically still alive in the American League playoff race. Right now, the Red Sox are just 4 1/2 games out of an American League Wild Card spot with five weeks to go until the trade deadline. Boston is one winning streak away from quieting the trade rumors around the team. But until the Red Sox inch closer to contention, this is where things stand with the club.