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4 hours ago
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The Philadelphia Phillies lost their closer, José Alvarado, to a PED suspension, and he is ineligible to pitch in the postseason. Jordan Romano has served as the team's closer, but the Phillies may need an upgrade at the deadline.
Romano was a two-time All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays, notching 95 saves from 2021-2023. This season, he has eight saves in 10 opportunities. Since Alvarado was suspended, Romano has a 7.71 ERA, working exclusively in the ninth inning or later. The Phillies will want a more reliable closer in the postseason, and Sports Illustrated's Michael Brauner suggested they trade for Aroldis Chapman.
"Two-time World Series champion and seven-time All-Star Aroldis Chapman might be 37 years old, but don't let that fool you," wrote Brauner. "The veteran flamethrower is performing as well as ever this season despite serving as closer for a fledgling Boston Red Sox squad.
"In his first season since 2021 as a full-time closer, Chapman has pitched to a 1.71 ERA and 0.911 WHIP with 35 strikeouts compared to just nine walks in 26.1 innings pitched."
Chapman is no stranger to postseason baseball. He has a 2.37 ERA and 10 saves in the postseason in his career. His experience could play a huge role in the Phillies avoiding a collapse from the backend of their bullpen, like they had last year. Chapman is still hitting triple digits with his fastball, which is what earned him the nickname the "Cuban Missile."
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The Red Sox are still hanging around, despite falling behind the Blue Jays, New York Yankees and and Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. They can still make a postseason push, and perhaps Roman Anthony's call-up will help. However, if they do fall out of contention, Chapman could be one of the first players to be moved.
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