Latest news with #AroldisChapman
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Aroldis Chapman 'Surprise' to be Traded With Red Sox's Resurgence
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox have won 11 of their last 13 games dating back to the beginning of the month. Even after Friday's loss to the Chicago Cubs, the team is still in the playoff race. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes it has prevented the team from trading All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox reacts against the National League during the ninth inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox reacts against the National League during the ninth inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More"Aroldis Chapman and Reid Detmers are overqualified for this job description (standout lefties), and it would probably be a surprise if either were dealt this month," wrote Rosenthal. Chapman was the subject of numerous trade rumors heading into the month of July as the Red Sox were sitting in fourth place in the American League East with a snowball in hell's chance of making the playoffs. Now, the team is right in the thick of the wildcard race. The Red Sox are at their best when they have Chapman closing out games in the ninth inning. Boston can now add relievers and put a strong supporting cast around the left-handed flamethrower. However, as Rosenthal reports, it's not completely out of the picture for Chapman to be moved before the deadline. If this were to happen, it would be because the Red Sox could make themselves better. The only way this would be possible is if the player(s) the organization gets back in a trade for Chapman are better than the one(s) given up to acquire a new closer. While Rosenthal didn't put a number on the exact odds Chapman would be traded, it's highly likely the odds are less than 10% given the fact that contenders don't trade their star closers very often. More MLB: Dodgers Tabbed Possible Landing Spot for $81 Million Cardinals Reliever
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
6 Game Changer Relievers the Mets Should Target Before Trade Deadline, Including Emmanuel Clase
The New York Mets are sure to be active ahead of this month's MLB trade deadline. They will be targeting upgrades at several positions over the next couple of weeks, including the bullpen. Because you can never have enough impact arms out of the pen come playoff time. With the Mets having the potential to reach the World Series in October, we take a look at six game-changer relievers they should pursue to bolster their bullpen for the second half and postseason. Also Read: Aroldis Chapman Despite 16 years of wear and tear on his left arm, Aroldis Chapman has been outstanding this season at 37 years old. His 1.18 ERA and 0.763 WHIP are some of the best numbers he's had his entire career. New York badly needs more left-handed arms out of the pen. So the eight-time All-Star — including in 2025 — should be at the top of their wishlist. However, with the Red Sox back in the playoff chase, Chapman may now be off the trade block. Emmanuel Clase The Guardians are only 4.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the AL. However, this team is unlikely to seriously contend for a playoff spot in 2025. That is why there has been a lot of speculation closer Emmanuel Clase could be on the trade block. The three-time closer is one of the best in the game and is having another strong season. If the Mets feel they can win it all this year, they should be bold and go after the elite closer this month. Related: Jhoan Duran The Twins are also in striking distance of a Wild Card spot. But even if they did make it, they aren't going far. The organization is always thinking long-term and moving closer Jhoan Duran when his value is at a peak, is something they may consider. He is still under team control for two more seasons and is worth giving up a high-end prospect to bolster the bullpen for the stretch run. Griffin Jax Duran's teammate, Griffin Jax, could also be up for grabs this month and would cost a lot less. New York will have a lot of competition for the top relievers available before the MLB trade deadline. Jax could certainly help their pen and would be a more realistic option on the market. He has posted a rock-solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of 66-10 over 41 innings this season. Related: Felix Bautista The Orioles have been the biggest disappointment in baseball this year and are sure to be sellers this month. And that means closer Felix Bautista could be available. After missing a season following Tommy John surgery, he has played well in 2025. He has not matched his All-Star numbers from last year. But he is under team control for two more seasons and could give the Mets an elite setup man for All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. Kenley Jansen With four-time All-Star Kenley Jansen set to his free agency this offseason, the Angels are sure to be listening to offers on the 16-year veteran. While he isn't putting up the absurd numbers that fellow 37-year-old Aroldis Chapman is, he has had another good season. He would be a strong setup man option for the New York Mets in the second half. Related: Related Headlines 'High-Risk, High-Reward': Why Rob Manfred is Bypassing Union Leadership to Court Players Double Payday: Damian Lillard Gets $70M From Blazers and Bucks While Missing 2025-26 Season Show Them The Money: Five Pass Rushers Set to Cash In After T.J. Watt's Record Deal Six Philadelphia Eagles Who Must Step Up for Another Super Bowl Run
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox's 8-Time All-Star Breaks Silence on Return for Next Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox are emerging from the All-Star break looking to pick up where they left off, with a 10-game win streak that put them right back into the playoff picture. After looking like they might reset with an eye toward future contention at the coming trade deadline, now the Red Sox seem headed toward adding pieces. And that might have changed things for the team's potential trade chips. "Aroldis Chapman's going nowhere, Alex Bregman's going nowhere," ESPN's Jeff Passan said during a recent episode of "The Pat McAfee Show." "They're going to add. ... The Boston Red Sox are legitimate World Series contenders." That change could have the biggest impact on Chapman, an eight-time All-Star who seemed like the most likely trade chip as he's outperforming an affordable $10.7 million single-year contract and virtually every contending team will seek a bullpen upgrade. With the change in the team's outlook, it could make sense for the Red Sox to extend Chapman before he has the chance to depart in free agency without bringing anything back in return. BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.... BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow of the Boston Red Sox addresses the media during an end of season press conference on September 30, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston) More Weiss/Getty But breaking his silence on a potential new deal with the Red Sox, the closer indicated that no such negotiations have taken place. "Aroldis Chapman said he hasn't talked to the Red Sox about any contract beyond this season," WEEI's Rob Bradford reported. As the Red Sox look to extend their winning streak, they have a chance to solidify their buyer status at the trade deadline and their contention for a playoff berth. If they do so, perhaps an extension for Chapman will come as well. More MLB: Kyle Schwarber Admits 'Unknowns' With Phillies Future, Looks Forward to Free Agency
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Do Tigers have what it takes in second half to win it all?
DETROIT — In the first half of the MLB season, the Detroit Tigers sought to gain respect, to prove last fall was no fluke, to assert themselves as one of baseball's best teams and overall organizations. Mission accomplished. In MLB's second half, the team with the league's best record (59-38) faces a task that might be even more challenging. With respect comes expectations. With winning comes pressure. With six All-Stars, an elite starting pitcher, and the chances to fortify weaknesses at the trade deadline, there is an opportunity for the Tigers to do something they have not done in a long time. Advertisement The Tigers have not won a World Series since 1984. They have not appeared in one since 2012. Play like the Tigers did in the first half, and the tenor of every conversation changes. The lens through which we view this team alters. Here, then, is a sampling of the biggest Tigers storylines as we return from the All-Star break: The Tigers entered the break with a 5.18 bullpen ERA since June 1. That ranks 26th in the league. For the entire season, the bullpen ranks dead last in whiff rate. The takeaway here? The bullpen isn't good enough to win a championship without some combination of external additions and internal improvements. This could be the defining issue of the Tigers' second half. The Tigers will likely add a leverage reliever — perhaps more than one — at the trade deadline. Aroldis Chapman and David Bednar are two trendy names. However, the next two weeks could also go a long way in determining who buys, sells and what pitchers end up being available. The trade market for relief pitching will also be competitive. There are only a select few teams with genuine championship aspirations, while many teams hope to remain in wild-card contention. The potential for a small number of sellers might mean prices will be at a premium. That's only one more reason to remember the Tigers made the playoffs last year, mainly because of unprecedented internal additions and developments that helped them create baseball's best pitching staff in August and September. The ideal path forward probably doesn't involve Tyler Holton or Tommy Kahnle recapturing their form. Instead, it requires someone like Dylan Smith or Tyler Owens to emerge as a gem or a recognizable name coming to Detroit and locking down the ninth inning. Ideally, it's some combination of all three. Advertisement So much has gone right for the Tigers this season. At the All-Star Game in Atlanta, multiple agents chuckled at the surreal sight of the Tigers having six representatives and the best record in baseball. In the second half, some of these positive developments will be put to the test. Just a small sampling: Can Javier Báez continue his terrific turnaround? So far, he's weathered every potential downturn. Even since June 1, Báez is hitting .278 with a solid .748 OPS. Likely to play far more shortstop from now to the end of the season, the Tigers need Báez to remain productive. Zach McKinstry's unexpected All-Star season also has few signs of being a mirage. Although his average exit velocity ranks in the bottom sixth percentile of MLB hitters, his launch-angle sweet spot percentage — the percentage of time he hits a ball with an ideal launch angle between 8 and 32 degrees — is one of the best rates. McKinstry entered the break on another tear, with a 1.031 OPS in 12 July games. Spencer Torkelson also remains a huge X-factor for the Tigers. His 21 home runs and 59 RBIs have made for terrific middle-of-the-order production, but his batting average over his past 34 games is only .226. Torkelson has maintained good batted-ball metrics all season, making a strong case that he might continue to rake in the second half. In the first half, only five MLB teams scored more runs than the Tigers. The team's overall run differential of plus-87 — even with that shoddy bullpen performance — ranks third in MLB behind only the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. The Tigers were never built to live by the long ball, but it's worth noting the last team to win the World Series without ranking in the top four in home runs was the 2019 Washington Nationals. The Tigers currently rank eighth with 124 home runs. Advertisement From now to season's end, the Tigers have to be hoping Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling can find their groove after missing much of the season with injuries. Assuming Kerry Carpenter comes back quickly from his hamstring injury, roster spots are at a premium. The Tigers could seek to add another right-handed bat (even though Jahmai Jones has a .957 OPS in his first 48 plate appearances). However, one thing we don't know: How badly does the Tigers' front office feel the team needs to add offense? Would they deem it worth paying for a slugger like Arizona's Eugenio Suárez? Keep in mind that other teams, such as the Yankees, might be eyeing Suárez, too. It will be fascinating to see whether the Tigers stick with what they have and keep playing lineup roulette, or if their trade-deadline desires will transcend the pitching staff. (Top photo of Javier Báez: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Why Latest $10 Million Trade Rumors Make Perfect Sense For Red Sox
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Boston Red Sox have been on quite a roller-coaster ride this year. They came into the year looking like World Series contenders. Following a few injuries and the shocking trade of Rafael Devers, the Red Sox struggled. But they've since gotten hot and won a lot of games. It seems like they're on the fence about buying and selling at the trade deadline. There's a chance the Red Sox can buy and sell at the same time this season. Brian Burrows of Bo Sox Injection recently suggested the Red Sox could trade star closer Aroldis Chapman if they opt to sell ahead of the trade deadline. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 10: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox high fives teammates after a 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Raysc at Fenway Park on July 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 10: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox high fives teammates after a 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Raysc at Fenway Park on July 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts."The Cuban flame-thrower (Aroldis Chapman) is having one of the best seasons of his career at age 37. He signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract in the offseason, making him one of the best rentals on the market," Burrows wrote. "Back in 2016, the Yankees traded Chapman at the deadline to the Cubs for four players, including Gleyber Torres (the Cubs' top prospect headed into the season). He's much older now, but could still net at least one high-quality prospect if he's moved." Trading Chapman seems like the kind of move the Red Sox should make, regardless of which way they lean at the deadline. Obviously, if the Red Sox are selling, they will look to trade Chapman. But if they're buying, they could still look to deal away the star closer. It's unlikely the team will re-sign him in free agency at the end of the year. While Chapman makes the team better, he would likely be more valuable to the future of the team as a trade chip. Boston could potentially net one or two potential star prospects in a deal that ships Chapman out of town. More MLB: Why Padres 'Trade Deadline Dream Scenario' Makes Perfect Sense For San Diego
