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15 hours ago
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The Boston Red Sox have put themselves in a position to add at the trade deadline. They could target relievers to help bolster their bullpen for an October run.
Aroldis Chapman has been a force as the closer for the Red Sox. He was named an All-Star, boasting a 1.18 ERA and 17 saves on the year. The Red Sox bullpen already has the fifth-best ERA in baseball, but adding more elite arms could help turn them into a dominant group in the postseason.
There should be plenty of relievers available to them at the trade deadline. However, NBC Sports' Justin Legar suggested they target Ryan Helsey of the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It has been sort of a 'down' season by Helsley's standards, but the 30-year-old is still sporting a 3.27 ERA over 33 appearances," wrote Legar. "He and Chapman would form one of the scariest and hardest-throwing setup-closer combinations in the game."
Helsley led all of baseball in saves last season. The two-time All-Star may not be having the same success this year, but having him as Chapman's opening act would be great for the Red Sox.
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The Cardinals are still in the postseason race, but Helsley is on an expiring contract, and the team may not be realistic contenders in the National League. Trading Helsley before they inevitably let him walk in free agency might be a move the team considers as they are currently on the outside looking in on the postseason.
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