Inside The Red Sox

Red Sox-Cubs Trade Idea Sees Boston Cut Ties With $11 Million 7x All-Star

The Sox aren't sellers... are they?
Jackson Roberts|
May 18, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A Boston Red Sox hat and glove rests on the railing by the dugout prior to a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
May 18, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A Boston Red Sox hat and glove rests on the railing by the dugout prior to a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

In this story:

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox becoming sellers at the 2025 trade deadline would be an absolute debacle.

After three years of missing the playoffs, the Red Sox put their cards on the table this offseason. The Garrett Crochet trade and the Alex Bregman signing were the two most obvious signs that this Boston team expected to find itself in the postseason.

So far, not so good. The Red Sox are 29-32, putting them 8 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees for the division lead and 3 1/2 out of playoff position. They're also without Bregman for the foreseeable future, having gone 2-6 since placing him on the injured list.

Though the Red Sox will try to stay in the race as long as possible, every team has to at least consider the possibility of selling if their playoff odds dip below a certain number. And Boston does have at least one obvious piece to move.

In a recent article, Drew VonScio of Newsweek named Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, a seven-time All-Star, as a trade fit for the Chicago Cubs, with whom he already won a World Series ring in 2016.

"Chapman reuniting with the Cubs makes a lot of sense for both teams," VonScio wrote. "The two-time World Series winner... continues to perform at a high level even at 37 years old. So far this season, Chapman has recorded nine saves on 10 opportunities. He's also recorded a 1.88 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

"If Chapman played for a true contender, he would have more saves this season than eight. The Cubs' bullpen could certainly use another back-end member as closer Drew Pomeranz, Daniel Palencia and Brad Keller have been good this year."

We'll get back to Chapman, but just for a moment, let's appreciate the irony of Keller and Pomeranz, two pitchers who had awful moments in Red Sox uniforms, somehow being good for the Cubs. Not sure which is more mind-boggling. Anyway...

All isn't necessarily lost if the Red Sox sell, as the Detroit Tigers proved last year by trading starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, then making a miracle run to the playoffs. But make no mistake, this year is a huge failure for the Red Sox if it doesn't end in a playoff berth.

Getting back a nice prospect haul for Chapman is a consolation prize, but a pretty lame one at that.

More MLB: Red Sox's Latest Kristian Campbell Decision Is Bad Look For Cora, Breslow

Published
Jackson Roberts
JACKSON ROBERTS

Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Boston Red Sox On SI, please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

Home/Boston Red Sox News