According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports , the San Francisco Giants have expressed interest in making a trade that would give their bullpen a huge boost. The Giants bullpen is currently ranked 10th in ERA.
The San Francisco Giants are pursuing the acquisition of Aroldis Chapman, the closer from the Cincinnati Reds. The San Francisco Giants are one of the few teams to inquire to the Reds about Chapman, making them one of the frontrunners to land the hard-throwing lefty.
As I reported on @FOXSports1 @AmericasPregame , #SFGiants have inquired to #Reds about Aroldis Chapman. No offers exchanged so far.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 27, 2015
The Reds, who are well out of contention for the postseason, being 19 games back in the National League Central with a 43-53 record on the season, have made it clear that they are willing to sell key players, evident in their trade of Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals. As previously reported by the Inquisitr , Cincinnati is also looking to trade another big name, Jay Bruce , to the New York Mets.
Although the San Francisco Giants already have an established and respectable closer in Santiago Casilla, who currently has 26 saves on the season, Aroldis Chapman is one of the most dominant relief pitchers in all of baseball and would give the defending champions bullpen a big boost that could help them in a playoff run. As of Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants are a half a game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the lead in the National League West.
Giants need to get Aroldis Chapman, need an intimating shut down closer, Casilla has been shaky at times
— squareenix.wrld / 9??8??5??.eth (@sfgiantsfan15) July 27, 2015
While Casilla has a 2.97 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 36 and one third innings, Chapman’s numbers are significantly better, with a 1.73 ERA with an amazing 74 strikeouts in 41 and two thirds innings.
Don’t sleep on #Giants landing #Reds Aroldis Chapman, its being reported teams are talking and im hearing they’re gaining traction
— Anthony DiMoro (@AnthonyDiMoro) July 27, 2015
It is difficult to predict what package the Reds would want from the San Francisco Giants in return, but the Giants have balked at anything involving their top prospect, Tyler Beede. Also, the San Francisco Giants organization recently halted a trade discussion for a starting pitcher when Lucius Fox’s name was mentioned. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Reds were interested in Andrew Susac , since Devin Mesoraco may be more suited for a position in the outfield, but as Morosi reported, no names have been mentioned at this time.
Chapman is one of the few relief pitchers on the trade market, along with Craig Kimbrel and Joaquin Benoit of the San Diego Padres, making them hot commodities for teams looking for help in the bullpen.
Do you think the San Francisco Giants will make a transaction in order to acquire Aroldis Chapman? If not, what other moves do you see the Giants making before the trade deadline on July 31?
@FlemmingDave Do you think Aroldis Chapman will be a member of the Giants this year?
— David Tedla (@david_tedla) July 18, 2015
[Image Source: Joe Robbins / Getty Images]
