Phillies linked to 0.44 ERA Red Sox closer with intriguing bullpen fit originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies had a huge need for bullpen help last season, and they went out and made a huge move to acquire Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins.
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He’s been awesome since coming to Philadelphia, and they no longer have a dire need for elite bullpen help. But, as the 2026 MLB trade deadline approaches, they were linked to one reliever who has a 90% chance of being traded.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel named the Phillies as one of the best fits possible for the Boston Red Sox‘s 0.44 ERA closer, Aroldis Chapman. He would be a very intriguing addition for the Phillies, as the left-hander is not someone oft-linked to Philly.
“Best fits: Mariners, Pirates, White Sox, Dodgers, Rays, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Blue Jays, Guardians,” Passan and McDaniel write.
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There are some obvious fits for this group for Chapman, as the flame-throwing Red Sox closer is the ideal trade pickup for teams in need of bullpen help this season.
But, with the Phillies already relying on Duran as the team’s closer, it doesn’t make much sense for them to have interest in Chapman. At least, that’s what it might seem like on the surface.
If Dave Dombrowski added Chapman, the Phillies would have two incredible relievers in Duran and Chapman who could close out games in the eighth and ninth innings.
With Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesus Luzardo all pitching very well this season, including deep into games, the Phillies would be able to have elite pitching on the mound at all times if they trade for Chapman.
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Brad Keller is on the injured list and has struggled this season as the set-up man for Duran, and Orion Kerkering has been in mop-up duty this season. Jonathan Bowlan can’t be trusted in key spots just yet.
If the Phillies added Chapman, they would have a lefty complement to Duran who could close games if Duran needs a break, or at the very least give the Phillies the best set-up man in MLB.
This would give the Phillies two of the best relievers in MLB in the eighth and ninth innings, effectively meaning that in most scenarios, they’d win games if they had a lead entering the eighth inning.
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Of course, it’s all in theory, and the Phillies’ trade resources are probably better used on an outfielder. But it’s still an intriguing trade connection that fans could legitimately get excited about.
