Excessive leverage relievers are at all times in demand on the commerce deadline. Left handed relievers, particularly those that routinely hit triple digits with their fastball, are value their weight in prospect gold. Add in playoff expertise, together with a pair of World Collection titles, and that participant turns into much more helpful. The Pittsburgh Pirates have such a reliever in Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman isn’t the reliever he as soon as was. His days as a more in-depth are probably behind him and his command has taken a step again this season. Nonetheless, he can nonetheless throw 103 mph, reaching that mark as he fired a fastball by Sean Murphy to set the all-time strikeout mark for left-handed relievers. He has posted a 3.90 ERA and 1.600 WHIP in his 30 innings this season, putting out 49 batters with 28 walks. He might nonetheless assist a contending bullpen.
The Pirates are nonetheless on the sting of playoff hunt, however ought to they fall out of the race, Chapman shall be a helpful commerce chip for the July 30 commerce deadline. Let’s check out three doable touchdown spots for the lefty reliever.
Kansas Metropolis Royals
There’s a little bit of irony within the Royals as a touchdown spot for Chapman. The Royals traded him to the Rangers final yr for pitcher Cole Ragans and minor league outfielder Roni Cabrera.
Royals common supervisor J.J. Picollo had said that the Royals could be seeking to improve their bullpen and outfield and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Royals are prioritizing bullpen assist over their outfield. Not solely do the Royals want one other high-octane arm within the bullpen, however their left-handed relievers have struggled. Bringing Chapman again might make sense.
New York Mets
The Mets have gone from probably sellers to the midst of the playoff hunt. Though Grimace has labored wonders, the Mets have holes to fill to be a contender for a spot within the postseason.
A kind of holes is behind the bullpen. Edwin Diaz has been inconsistent this yr whereas lefty relievers Jake Diekman and Danny Younger have been middling at finest. Chapman does have loads of expertise within the ninth inning and could be a stable fallback possibility ought to Diaz proceed to wrestle. He would additionally lengthen the bullpen, solidifying the seventh or eighth inning as soon as Diaz returns to type.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners stands out as the solely group over .500 within the AL West, however that doesn’t imply all the things is ideal in Seattle.
Jon Morosi from MLB Community reported that the Mariners are on the lookout for an on a regular basis bat and bullpen assist. A left-handed reliever would make sense as Tayler Saucedo is the one lefty within the Mariners’ bullpen. Chapman would additionally add playoff expertise to the roster, becoming a member of Ryne Stanek to assist information the younger bullpen by October.
