BOSTON -- It was a fun weekend of trade rumors across Major League Baseball, and the Boston Red Sox found themselves right in the thick of them. If the Red Sox continue to fall out of the playoff race, should they consider moving their highest-leverage relievers, including All-Star Closer Aroldis Chapman? 

After Sunday afternoon's 6-1 loss to the New York Yankees, Boston finds itself 26-36 and firmly in last place in the American League East, 10.5 games back of Tampa Bay for first. Despite being 10 games under .500, the Red Sox are just four games back of Texas for the final Wild Card spot in a crowded American League, leaving Craig Breslow with an interesting decision to make ahead of the trade deadline. 

The Red Sox are receiving plenty of interest in the back-end of their bullpen: Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Chapman, and, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford, teams are being told no. 

The interest in the Red Sox relievers should come as no surprise, as bullpen help is always the most highly sought-after asset at the trade deadline. The trio has combined for a 3.51 ERA across 41 innings, a number inflated by Slaten's recent struggles.

But at this stage of the season, Boston's Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow rebuffing any calls should also come as no surprise. The decision to sell off the three highest-leverage arms in the bullpen would represent a clear waving of the white flag on 2026. 

While Bradford was emphatic in his reporting that teams are being told no when calling on the Red Sox relievers, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale struck a different tone, making it seem as though Chapman is as good as gone: 

“Aroldis Chapman is expected to join his eighth different team, and potentially be in the postseason with his sixth different team,” Nightengale wrote on Sunday morning. “He is the top reliever available on every contender’s target list,” he continued. 

The 38-year-old Chapman has experienced a career resurgence in his year-plus in Boston, allowing only nine earned runs in 81 innings, while continuing to climb the all-time saves leaderboard. If Breslow does make the decision to sell ahead of the deadline, Chapman could net Boston a sizable return as they look to retool for the 2027 season. 

The MLB Trade Deadline is set for 6:00 p.m. ET.  on Aug. 3. 

The Red Sox will continue on their now five-game road trip, kicking off a three-game set at Tropicana Field against the Rays on Monday night. Connelly Early (5-3, 3.26 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Ian Seymour (3-0, 5.23 ERA) for Tampa. First pitch from Tropicana Field set for 6:40 p.m. ET. 

Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!