Matt Clement, who won 87 games as a big-league pitcher, came up with a fascinating idea last week when he joined Bob Pompeni and me for his weekly radio hit on 93.7 The Fan: Bring back Aroldis Chapman.
The Pirates bullpen is not as bad as some people claim. But like the team, it also did not go well. It needs an upgrade.
This requires a hammer.
That would be Chapman, the 38-year-old Boston Red Sox closer who is off to a hot start. Trade rumors are already swirling because the Red Sox are off to such a bad start at 17-23. The Cubs and Diamondbacks are among the teams mentioned.
Why not pirates?
Chapman is 8 for 8 in save opportunities with a 0.79 ERA. He still shoots laser beams. Now he rarely walks with anyone.
“We’re kind of dreaming here a few months ahead of time,” Clement said. “But you see him walk in — the electric atmosphere, someone like him coming in, running 101 mph, adding some nice walk-in music? It might be like a rallying cry.
“The way he still throws is absolutely amazing. You saw him the other day strike out Yordan Alvarez, probably the best hitter in baseball this season, like it was nothing.”
Of course, the Red Sox could counterattack, but if they don’t, Chapman figures he’ll get the block. The Pirates, assuming they continue on their high 80s win pace, should be completely on top of that.
I’ll start questioning soon, armed with some top-10 prospects as bait. FanSided’s Christopher Cline predicted that Chapman would be one of four Red Sox pitchers dealt this season, writing that they had “other talented relievers ready to step into high-leverage situations.”
Cline’s proposed trade would have required the Cubs to send their Nos. 6 and 8 prospects to the Red Sox. For pirates this seems more than possible. According to ESPN, they will be responsible for a prorated share of Chapman’s $13 million salary plus $13 million the following year if he pitches at least 40 innings.
Gregory Soto has been lights out for the Pirates, but Dennis Santana has about as many walks as strikeouts, and others have been shaky to say the least.
Still, the Pirates are 17-3 when they’re ahead after six innings, 18-2 when they’re ahead after seven innings and 18-1 when they’re ahead after eight innings, so it’s not like the place is on fire. But he wasted another extra-inning game – including a two-run lead. They could have used shock.
Who better than Aroldis Chapman to provide it?
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