Former Player Links Mets To Aroldis Chapman Ahead Of Trade Deadline

Chapman could return to New York in a new uniform.

Scott Neville | Jun 9, 2023

Former Player Links Mets To Aroldis Chapman Ahead Of Trade Deadline /

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Could a seven-time All-Star closer be headed back to New York? This time as a member of the Mets? A former player would love to see it happen.

"They have to get another arm, they have to get a back-end of the bullpen (arm)," former Mets pitcher Jerry Blevins said on SNY's "Baseball Night In New York."

"I think Aroldis Chapman is a perfect fit. I don't know where he would be put in (the bullpen). Because (David) Robertson's been so good I wouldn't necessarily push him out but for me, Aroldis Chapman makes everybody better because they can move guys like Brooks Raley down into that sixth/seventh-inning role, Drew Smith down in there, (Adam) Ottavino can be kind of a fill in the gap kind of guy with Robertson and Chapman at the backend."

Chapman has a 2.95 ERA with a 35-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .197 batting average against and 1.36 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings for the Kansas City Royals this season.

The 35-year-old has been a set-up man for the Royals, powered by his fastball, which is back up to 99.4 mph on average -- his highest mark since 2017.

Ever since closer Edwin Diaz suffered his severe knee injury, the Mets have been a high-leverage reliever short, and could certainly use a boost in that area. The season has not gone as planned in Queens but owner Steve Cohen has invested so much into the team, they almost have to go for it no matter the record. Adding Chapman into the mix could be a solid first step back into contention.

Published Jun 9, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville is the publisher of Inside The Red Sox and Inside The Cardinals, as seen on Sports Illustrated. Before running his own sites, Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." Now Neville is adding the New York market to his arsenal as well as Boston and St. Louis. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu