Royals Aroldis Chapman Jun 4, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) reaches for a throw during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
FeaturedMLBBy Arthur Weinstein on

The Texas Rangers, eyeing a possible deep run into the postseason, fortified their bullpen Friday by acquiring reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals.

In return, the Royals received left-hander Cole Ragans, the Rangers’ first-round draft pick in 2016, and Dominican Summer League outfielder Roni Cabrera.

Chapman, 35, hasn’t lost an inch off his legendary fastball, still ranking in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity. He’s struck out 53 batters in 29 1/3 innings this season, en route to a 2.45 ERA.

The Rangers, who lead the AL West with a 49-32 mark entering Friday, will have Chapman through the end of the season, on a bargain contract. He signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal with Kansas City before this season.

The Royals got a good return on the hard-throwing veteran. Ragans, 25, has made 26 career appearances out of the bullpen (5.32 ERA) and projects as a starter, possibly by later this season.

MLB fans thought the Rangers made a great move with an eye on the postseason. In fact, when one Twitter user asked the Rangers fan site Texas Rangers Insider to explain the move in NFL terms, the site responded, “When the Rams got Von Miller and then won the Super Bowl.”


[Texas Rangers]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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