With the trade deadline closing in, Aroldis Chapman looks like one of the more obvious names the Boston Red Sox could move. Boston is sitting in last place and far out of the race, so the expectation is that the club will at least hear offers on several veterans. Chapman, as the closer, figures to draw the most attention.
One MLB insider already sees a clear fit. Steve Phillips believes the Chicago White Sox should be the team pushing hardest to land Chapman before the deadline.
That idea makes sense because Chicago has turned into one of the season’s biggest surprises. The White Sox came into the year with modest expectations, but they’ve played their way into legitimate playoff contention and are firmly in the mix for the American League Central title. They’ve been solid on both sides of the ball, and adding another elite reliever could be the kind of move that changes the finish line.
Chapman would bring exactly that kind of punch. Even now, the veteran left-hander is still one of the most intimidating bullpen arms in the game. He has the kind of late-game experience contenders crave, including work on the World Series stage, and that alone would give Chicago’s bullpen a different level of credibility.
There’s also a clean trade history between these two teams. The Red Sox and White Sox have already done major business before, with Boston landing Chris Sale from Chicago in a deal for a package of top prospects. Before the 2025 season, the Red Sox and White Sox hooked up again, this time with Boston acquiring Garrett Crochet in another blockbuster that sent a haul of young talent back to Chicago.
Now the dynamic would flip. Boston would be the seller, and Chicago would be the club trying to sharpen a playoff roster for the stretch run by adding Aroldis Chapman.
On paper, Chapman fits the need almost perfectly. He brings postseason experience, he’s spent his career handling high-leverage spots, and he gives a manager another trusted arm to close out tight games.
For a White Sox team trying to keep pace with the American League’s best, that kind of addition could matter a lot. If Phillips is reading the market correctly, Chicago should be aggressive. A reliever with Chapman’s résumé doesn’t come available often, and with Boston expected to sell, the timing lines up for another major deal between two familiar front offices.
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The broader availability picture, though, is still the part White Sox fans are left sorting through. Munetaka Murakamis hamstring strain remains the bigger concern, and the latest read on his status suggests this is not a situation that is close to clearing up, even with the All-Star break approaching. For a team and fan base already used to waiting on good news, it is another reminder that some roster questions are still very much unresolved. [Read more 🡒]