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The Philadelphia Phillies have the best record in the National League. At 31-18, they have a 1 1/2-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.
However, the team does have one weakness: the bullpen.
Even before Jose Alvarado was lost to an 80-game PED suspension, the bullpen was among the worst in the NL. Now those struggles have been amplified with Alvarado sidelined.
At the trade deadline, Philadelphia is going to need to add a closer-type pitcher. With the Boston Red Sox under .500, perhaps they could look into Aroldis Chapman. Andrew Wright of Newsweek listed him as a possible fit.
"Rather than an eye for an eye, this trade pitch would insert a lefty for a lefty. At the ripe age of 37, Chapman is pitching some of the best baseball of his career," Wright wrote.
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"Chapman has pitched for just one NL team since 2017, meaning he would be a new face for most teams, which could benefit Philadelphia more than its opponents."
In 21 appearances with Boston, Chapman has saved eight games and is 3-2 with a 1.89 ERA. If the Red Sox decide to sell, perhaps Chapman could be on their list of tradeable pieces.
But adding the seven-time All-Star to the fold would give the Phillies a major boost down the stretch. The 37-year-old can still be trusted in high-leverage spots and can close games.
Chapman has experience in the National League thanks to his time with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, but he also has a track record of pitching well in the postseason.
The veteran left-hander is a two-time World Series champion, and he would be a tremendous addition for a Phillies team in need of a bullpen arm.
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