Aroldis Chapman Could Be the Perfect Trade Deadline Target for the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have done just about everything right during the first half of the season.

Strong starting pitching, another breakout campaign from Bryan Baker at the back end of the bullpen, which has landed him as one of the 4 All-Stars on the team, and timely offense have helped Tampa Bay build a lead atop the American League East. But if the Rays are serious about making a deep postseason run, there is one area they should still look to improve before the August 3 MLB Trade Deadline.

Adding another versatile reliever.

One name that continues to make too much sense for Tampa Bay is Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman. Although the Rays seem to have the backend of the bullpen locked down with both Baker and Kevin Kelly, adding a third consistent arm to that mix would be incredibly impactful following the Rays excellent starting pitching. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel recently gave Chapman a 90 percent chance of being traded, making him one of the most likely players to change teams over the next few weeks. They also listed the Rays among the clubs that would be an ideal fit.

And if Eric Neander and the Rays front office chose to be aggressive, it's easy to understand why.

Even at 38 years old, Chapman has turned back the clock. He owns a 2.36 ERA with 18 saves while striking out 35 batters in just 26.2 innings. While he no longer lives at 102 mph in every appearance, he has found a way to adapt and remains a threat on the mound even as he enters the final years of his career.

Passan and McDaniel pointed out that Chapman "doesn't throw as hard as he once did, but he has four distinct pitches now. And he's still chucking his fastball in the high 90s, which is plenty of velocity when hitters need to gear up for his slider and splitter."  That versatility would fit perfectly inside Tampa Bay's bullpen.

Bryan Baker has been one of baseball's best stories this season. The first-time All-Star has converted 25 of his 28 save opportunities while posting a stellar 1.73 ERA. He has earned the closer role, and that won't change no matter who the Rays bring in this summer.

That's exactly why Chapman makes so much sense.

Instead of asking Chapman to carry the entire bullpen, the Rays could use him as another dominant late-inning weapon alongside Baker and Kelly. Kevin Cash would suddenly have multiple high-leverage options capable of finishing games, matching up against tough left-handed hitters and potentially shortening contests to six or seven innings.

We've seen Tampa Bay lean on elite bullpen depth during its best seasons, 2020 and 2023 come to mind, and the Rays have never been afraid to stack quality relievers, especially when a deep postseason run searching for their first World Series is the goal.

It could turn into a bidding war for Chapman, who might be playing his last ounce of elite baseball this year, and even if that's the case, the Rays must ensure they do everything possible to bring him to Tampa Bay.