Red Sox's Eight-Time All-Star Already Drawing Trade Interest, Per Insider

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The Boston Red Sox's roster boasts arguably the best and most dominant closer in all of baseball, Aroldis Chapman.  

Chapman joined the Red Sox ahead of the 2025 season, and after an impressive season in which the 38-year-old was named an All-Star and posted an absurd 1.17 ERA, he returned to Boston on a one-year, $13 million contract. Chapman's contract also includes a 2027 mutual option, which becomes guaranteed if he pitches at least 40 innings in 2026 and passes a physical. 

At 22-30, the Red Sox are less than four games out of the playoffs and are making calls around the league earlier than ever before to see which players will be available ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. However, Boston is not the only team keeping tabs on players ahead of the trade deadline.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared that Chapman is already drawing the interest of the San Diego Padres, who are in search of more bullpen support. 

"The San Diego Padres are looking for more bullpen help and have their eyes on Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox and Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies," Nightengale wrote on Sunday.

It should come as no surprise that Chapman is drawing trade interest. Despite his age, the veteran closer is somehow performing at an even higher level for the Red Sox this season. In 18 appearances this season, Chapman has allowed only one earned run and eight hits, posting a 0.51 ERA while striking out 23 batters in 17 2/3 innings pitched. 

Chapman has been perfect this season with 12 saves in 12 save opportunities. It makes sense that any team that is interested in improving its bullpen would be interested in the eight-time All-Star as the trade deadline draws closer. 

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