The Boston Red Sox are headed toward being sellers at the deadline, and there is one player they absolutely must trade: Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman was great for the Red Sox last season, winning the American League Reliever of the Year Award, and has once again been stellar. The only problem is that the Red Sox do not look like a postseason team, and the 38-year-old has great trade value. His $13 million contract for next season will guarantee with 13 1/3 more innings of work and a passed physical, so he is on track to have another year of club control.
Relievers are always a hot commodity at the deadline, and the Red Sox could get a great return for Chapman, whose age presents a risk moving forward. Plenty of teams in postseason position would love to add an arm like Chapman to their bullpen.
Barring a miracle, the Red Sox do not look like a team that will make the postseason this year. It would be wise for Craig Breslow to start thinking about the future and flip Chapman for some prospects. The Red Sox could move Garrett Whitlock to the closer role, and he could serve as the team's closer for the next few years.
Chapman has a 2.36 ERA and 18 saves this season. He was named an All-Star for the ninth time, but he brings more than just great numbers. He has won two World Series and has a 2.46 postseason ERA. He brings valuable experience that teams will be interested in as they look to finalize their rosters for October.
The Cuban Missile can still light up the radar gun and is the all-time leader in strikeouts for relievers. Last season, Mason Miller and Jhoan Duran were traded at the deadline. Could Chapman be the star closer moved this year? There's no point in the Red Sox hanging on to him at this age in a lost season.