The Boston Red Sox are reportedly looking into an Aroldis Chapman trade with the Reds this offseason and Dave Dombrowski could package prospects to make a deal happen. Jackie Bradley has been getting trade interest from teams, while players like Chris Davis, Alex Gordon, David Price and Ben Zobrist could be potential free agent targets for the Sox.
UPDATE: The Red Sox have reportedly acquired Craig Kimbrel from the Padres. Check here for more.
Chapman was shopped at the trading deadline earlier this season and now the Reds appear ready to make a trade with the closer. According to Fox Sports, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox are doing "background work" on Chapman and while that doesn't mean a "deal is close," the work "indicates sincerity of interest" for Boston. Peter Gammons wrote on Twitter that Chapman could be traded by the end of the weekend and the Red Sox could be a landing spot.
The Reds are ready to deal Chapman after having a tough season in 2015 as a team and the fact that Chapman will be a free agent after next season also makes it likely that he will be moved. Last season Chapman put up some strong numbers with 116 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings and he posted a 1.63 ERA with 33 saves and a 4-4 record for Cincy. Chapman is a hard throwing reliever and the bullpen is one area where the Red Sox want to improve.
The Astros, Yankees and Diamondbacks all showed interest during the season in Chapman and he joins Craig Kimbrel as closers that could be traded this offseason. Darren O'Day, Joakim Soria, and Ryan Madson are free agent options for the bullpen, but Chapman is more talented than those players and also is a lights out closer. The Red Sox likely would have to give up a top prospect in a deal for Chapman and according to the Boston Herald, Dombrowski said the team likely will make a deal that is "painful," as the team may have to part with one of their prized prospects to make a big move.
According to the Seattle Times, the Mariners have expressed interest in Jackie Bradley Jr. and could try and make a deal, while the Kansas City Royals have also shown interest in Bradley. If the Red Sox move Bradley, someone like Alex Gordon could be a free agent target. The team also could reportedly look at David Price, Chris Davis or Ben Zobrist, according to NESN.com.
The Red Sox made splashes last offseason by signing Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, but the team did not perform well in 2015 and they are hoping for a rebound this year. Dombrowski comes in after a run of success with the Detroit Tigers and he has the chance to add some talent to the roster.
Check here for more on the Red Sox and the interest in Chapman and Bradley.
