Red Sox Trade Pitch Sends All-Star Closer to Mets

The Boston Red Sox's 2-1 series-opening win over the rival New York Yankees on Friday night provided much-needed momentum to a team that has fallen short of expectations early in the 2025 season. Despite the win, the Red Sox sit fourth in the AL East with a 35-36 record, 8.5 games behind the Yankees atop the division and two games out of a Wild Card spot.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Red Sox are looking increasingly likely to bolster their roster in hopes of making a late-season surge up the standings. But the team also has a number of pieces they could offer to other franchises with similar goals in mind.

According to Newsweek's Andrew Wright, Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman is considered a trade candidate for the New York Mets, who are looking to address their own bullpen issues.

"If the Red Sox continue to struggle, Chapman's one-year contract makes him an easy trade target, and the Mets have all the assets to get Chapman in the blue and orange," Wright wrote. "Chapman is having an excellent season in the Boston bullpen to the tune of a 1.59 ERA, 12 saves and 39 strikeouts in 31 appearances and 28 1/3 innings. His average fastball velocity sits at 99.2 mph, good for the 99th percentile."

"The addition of Chapman to the back end of the bullpen with Ryan Stanek and Edwin Diaz could be viewed as one of the best and hardest-throwing bullpen trios in the league," Wright continued.