Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Cubs Get Bad News on Potential Reunion With Star Reliever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jacob Mountz | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 6:45 PM ET

Cubs’ president Jed Hoyer has made his trade deadline plans known in no uncertain terms: he plans to add a starter and boost the bullpen. It’s also something he said he’ll be aggressive in doing.

One name in particular that has been thrown around is Aroldis Chapman, who helped the Cubs break the curse in 2016. This season, Chapman has flourished, tossing to a 1.59 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched with the Red Sox.

Chapman has been listed as a trade candidate numerous times, but since the Red Sox have stopped sliding, new reports indicate that Chapman’s status may have changed. In a recent article from The Athletic, MLB insider Jim Bowden wrote this about the Red Sox:

“After subpar starts, the Braves, Red Sox and Rangers don’t appear to be postseason teams this year, but most in the industry believe they will make trades to try to improve their respective rosters for the rest of this season and next rather than being typical sellers … The Red Sox will try to deal one of their outfielders for starting pitching help and an upgrade at first base.”

Even though Chapman is on a one-year deal, if there’s a chance the Red Sox can contend, he will remain a valued member of their bullpen, especially given the weakness in their pitching staff.

The Red Sox acquired Jorge Alcala from the Twins on Wednesday in hopes of turning him back into the reliever he was last season. If this says anything about their intentions, it would likely mean the Red Sox are buyers at the deadline.

As Bowden mentions, there is one thing they plan on selling. If the Red Sox can get what they want by dealing from their extensive outfield depth, dealing any other piece of value will only hinder their postseason chances.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: