$10.5 million 7x All-Star listed as Red Sox best trade chip before deadline

The Boston Red Sox were expected to be a clear contender in the American League in 2025. However, things have not turned out that way.

At 32-35, the Sox are in fourth place in the AL East and are 8 1/2 games back of first place.

Instead of buying, we may ultimately see the Red Sox sell off a few pieces and make moves geared towards the future. One of their best trade chips is reliever Aroldis Chapman.

Ian Browne of MLB.com agrees and states that Chapman could be valuable to a contender.

"If the Red Sox continue to fade from contention, Chapman, on a one-year deal, becomes a valuable rental chip for a contender that needs to bulk up the back end of the bullpen. Although Chapman is 37, he is having his best season in years and closing full time again for the first time since 2021. He continues to throw in the upper 90s, and he has eliminated the control issues that have plagued him at some of his recent stops," Browne wrote.

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Chapman is putting together a strong season as the Red Sox closer. The seven-time All-Star and former Reliever of the Year is 3-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 29 appearances.

He has also saved 11 games with Boston this year.

Chapman is a two-time World Series champion and was flipped from the Kansas City Royals to Texas Rangers at the deadline in 2023 in a deal that included Cole Ragans.

Perhaps the Red Sox could receive a similar haul to what the Royals received this year if they decide to trade Chapman. They are falling out of contention and would be wise to capitalize on his value.

We'll see what they decide to do.

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