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By Zach Pressnell
Contributing Sports Writer
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Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently polled a group of MLB executives on which players they thought would be traded this season. The group predicted the Boston Red Sox would cut ties with flamethrower Aroldis Chapman ahead of the trade deadline.
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"The execs overwhelmingly picked Chapman as the reliever most likely to be traded in July," Bowden wrote. "The 37-year-old is having a banner season, posting a 1.32 ERA over 37 appearances with 14 saves and 50 strikeouts in 34 innings. He would be a difference-maker in any bullpen. Two years ago, Chapman was traded from the Royals to the Rangers in a late-June deadline deal for lefty Cole Ragans and a minor-league outfielder."
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Chapman makes plenty of sense as a trade chip this season. The Red Sox, to a lot of people's surprise, don't seem to be in contention for a postseason spot. After trading Rafael Devers, the team looks to be on the brink of selling hard this season.
With Chapman on a one-year contract, it would be surprising to see him end the season with the Red Sox.
Instead, he could be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, or another reliever-needy postseason contender.
The Dodgers are always looking to buy talent at the trade deadline, and their bullpen has been quite underwhelming. The Blue Jays desperately need a closer with Jeff Hoffman struggling. And the Cubs are about as reliever-needy as it gets this season.
The Red Sox could even send Chapman back to where he began his career in the Queen City with the Cincinnati Reds. Terry Francona's team could use a high-leverage arm at the back end of games.
More MLB: Dodgers One-Time Top Prospect Gaining Steam As Intriguing Trade Chip
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