Ex-Yankees Star Pitcher May Be Traded; Would It Make Sense For Red Sox To Make Splash?

Should the Red Sox add a former Yankees star to the bullpen?

The Boston Red Sox's bullpen certainly has improved this season, but there's always room for further growth. 

Boston had the fifth-worst bullpen in all of baseball in 2022 and finished with an uninspiring 4.59 ERA. The Red Sox made a specific effort to improve the bullpen this past offseason and made some intriguing additions -- like three-time All-Star Kenley Jansen -- and the moves are paying off. 

The Red Sox's bullpen has compiled a 3.69 ERA so far this season -- good for 13th in all of baseball and ninth in the American League -- but there are ways the team could still improve. Boston has been without the services of lefty Joely Rodriguez so far this season. Also, there has been some inconsistent play among some relievers -- like Ryan Braiser -- so an addition could make sense. 

One player that likely will be available around the trade deadline and could help the Boston bullpen is Kansas City Royals fireballer Aroldis Chapman. The seven-time All-Star has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs throughout his career and after a down year in 2022 has come back in a major way this season.

Chapman has shined so far this for Kansas City and has compiled a 1.74 ERA in 11 appearances so far this season. The 35-year-old has struck out 19 batters so far this season to go along with just three walks. The lefty is in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity so far this season and also the 99th percentile in whiff percentage. 

Kansas City is 7-22 so far this season and likely will be sellers around the trade deadline. When the Royals initially signed Chapman there already was chatter that he would be moved around the deadline and it has only intensified as the club has struggled. 

If the Red Sox were looking to add another reliever this season, Chapman would make perfect sense. Boston could use another left-handed hurler and Chapman likely will be the best reliever available. The Red Sox have Jansen locked in as the club's closer and if the Red Sox could add Chapman as a setup man, it would make for one of the most feared bullpen duos in the league. 

Boston's farm system has been greatly improved in recent years so the team likely could meet any asking price Kansas City would have if the club ultimately did move Chapman. The Red Sox may not need Chapman, but he certainly would help. 

More MLB: White Sox Reportedly May Rebuild; Should Red Sox Take Chance At Trade For Star?