Yankees officials have made it clear they have no intention of acquiring Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, and the reliever appears unfazed by the lack of interest.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that while Chapman is unlikely to end up in New York after the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays remain teams that could land him. Relief pitchers often prove to be among the most impactful acquisitions at this time of year.
“Chapman remains highly effective, now possessing four distinct pitches while still delivering a fastball in the high 90s, giving hitters little time to react to his slider and splitter. The timeless axiom of the trade deadline holds true: every team needs a reliable reliever, and clubs will compete fiercely for Chapman,” Passan wrote.
Securing Chapman would be a significant boost for the Dodgers or Blue Jays, but doing so amid existing tension with the Yankees would add an extra layer of intrigue.
Both the Dodgers and Blue Jays are frequently linked with elite relievers, indicating they could be prepared to pursue a deal for Chapman, potentially influencing the Yankees’ roster plans.