The Kansas City Royals have not had a great season, sitting in the basement of the AL Central with an 18-43 record. Not all has been bad though, as star reliever Aroldis Chapman has had a career revival this season. This has him set to be a prime trade target for teams ahead of the upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Chapman has been one of the sole bright spots for Kansas City, recording a 2.95 ERA in 23 appearances thus far on the year.
Given the Royals’ bleak outlook for the rest of the season, Chapman seems to be available for potential suitors before the trade deadline. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently wrote about the Royals, saying that he believes that they are actively shopping Chapman.
“The Royals currently are giving teams interested in Aroldis Chapman two options, according to sources briefed on their discussions who were granted anonymity so they could speak candidly,” wrote Rosenthal. “Part with a better prospect package to gain control of Chapman for nearly four months of the regular season, rather than the two months a team would get by acquiring him at the trade Aug. 1 deadline. Or accept Chapman as part of a package with another Royals player, enabling Kansas City to shed payroll while ensuring a better return in a trade.”
Rosenthal added that the Royals could potentially pair Chapman with either reliever Scott Barlow or Salvador Perez in a trade package for a top prospect in return.
Chapman certainly has a ton of value as an experienced pitcher who has had postseason success in the past, so it will be interesting to see who ultimately lands him from the Royals if they choose to trade him.
