To say that this has been a disappointing season for the Boston Red Sox would be a massive understatement.
Not even parting ways with manager Alex Cora was enough to turn things around at Fenway Park, and they could settle for being sellers at the trade deadline.
As such, it won’t be much of a surprise to see multiple teams keep tabs on star closer Aroldis Chapman, who’s gotten his career back on track in Boston.
According to USA Today insider Bob Nightengale, that’s already the case, as the San Diego Padres could look to make a run at him.
The Padres are keeping tabs on Aroldis Chapman
“The San Diego Padres are looking for more bullpen help and have their eyes on Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox and Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies,” Nightengale wrote.
This season, the former superstar has logged 12 saves in 18 appearances. Per Baseball Reference, he’s posted an impressive 0.51 ERA and 23 strikeouts with seven walks in 17.2 innings of work, and he has only given up a single home run.
Chapman has returned to the elite level, and with the Padres always looking to make moves and the Red Sox failing to live up to expectations, this could be a feasible target for the Friars.
The Padres already have a star in the back end of their bullpen in Mason Miller, but with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division, they can’t leave a stone unturned in their pursuit of more talent.