Radio Host Urges Pirates To Pursue Reunion With Superstar Closer originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After beating the Houston Astros on Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to 34-29, giving them the third-most wins in the National League.
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Thanks to their improved offense, the Pirates have emerged as one of the better teams in baseball this year. They’re not perfect, however, as their bullpen and defense could use some help.
Fortunately, the MLB trade deadline is still two months away, so Pittsburgh has plenty of time to land reinforcements.
According to 93.7 The Fan on Thursday, one reliever the Pirates should consider pursuing is Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman.
Pittsburgh is already familiar with Chapman, who pitched for them in 2024. He’s been the best reliever in baseball since joining the Red Sox, however, posting a 1.01 ERA for them since the start of 2025.
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Boston is nine games below .500 and, barring a massive turnaround, may need to sell at the deadline. Ben Cherington also has a professional relationship with Craig Breslow after last offseason’s Jhotstynxon Garcia-Johan Oviedo trade.
Chapman’s 38, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. He also has a mutual option for 2027, so he wouldn’t be just a rental.
The flamethrowing lefty would be a great fit for the Pirates and give them an elite weapon in their bullpen, which would make Don Kelly‘s job a little easier in tight games.
More MLB: MLB Trade Rumors: Pirates ‘Actively’ Seeking Upgrades At This Position
