Pirates Urged to Trade for Flame-Throwing Red Sox Closer to Fix Bullpen Issue originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
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The Pirates are one of the more surprising teams of the 2026 MLB season, as they’ve gone from one of the worst teams in the league to one that has a legitimate chance of making the postseason.
But, as they are right now, they really need to improve the roster to have a real chance at the playoffs. The offense has been good, but the Pirates’ pitching staff, specifically the bullpen, needs help.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield is urging the Pirates to fix their closer issue by going out and reuniting with flame-throwing left-hander Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Red Sox. Such a move would make perfect sense for the Pirates this summer.
Pirates urged to trade for Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman
“The Pirates are in the bottom half of the majors in bullpen ERA and win probability added as Gregory Soto, the primary closer, has a terrible ratio of 11 saves to four blown saves and is too erratic to be a playoff closer,” Schoenfield writes. “Of course, they need to get there first, which is why they need Chapman.”
Chapman is the best reliever who could be dealt this season. The Pirates, with a chance to make a postseason run, would benefit greatly from adding Chapman this summer.
He has a 2.19 ERA this season, as the 38-year-old closer still is one of the best relievers in baseball. While he might not be a long-term solution, he’d be a big help in 2026.
But if he reaches 40 innings pitched in 2026, Chapman would trigger his 2027 vesting option, giving the Pirates an extra year of club control.
Reuniting with Chapman would make a lot of sense for the Pirates. He’s exactly what this team needs to improve one of the weakest areas of the roster.
It won’t guarantee a postseason spot, but for a Pirates team with a ton of potential, Chapman is the exact kind of trade deadline move that would excite fans and help the team make a run.
