The Atlanta Braves have every reason to be expected to be among the league's more aggressive trade deadline buyers, having a nice mix of current expectations and a solid farm system to lean on. Looking around at possible rentals, the franchise should consider, few make more sense than Boston Red Sox left-hander Aroldis Chapman. Heading into the weekend, Chapman had an ERA of 0.46 and has been elite at closing out the final frame.
Raisel Igesias has been similarly elite, but the Braves have leaned heavily on the trio of Iglesias, Dylan Lee, and Robert Suarez in the first months of the 2026 season. Bringing in Chapman builds on what is arguably already the team's strongest unit and hands you three capable closing options that you can mix and match throughout the year as injuries strike or to keep the team's most reliable arms as fresh as possible heading into a hopeful October run.
Adding Chapman isn't likely to cost the Braves all that much when you consider the reliever's age and the deal being extremely reasonable. For Atlanta's front office, it should be near the top of the list in potential fits as the southpaw gives the Braves two elite left handed options on top of already having the experience of Iglesias and Suarez.
Braves Should Explore Potential Trade with Red Sox for Left-Hander Raisel Iglesias
This leaves out Didier Fuentes, who has increasingly gained the trust of manager Walt Weiss in high-leverage situations. Tyler Kinely remains a wildcard as well with late-inning experience and a resume that suggests the veteran is capable of being a late-innings option in the right matchups. No question, putting Chapman together with this group gives the Braves the league's best bullpen.
Bullpens win postseason series, with last year's World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays being a key example of this fact. Turning the clock back a bit further to Atlanta's 2021 World Series run, it was an elite group of bullpen arms that helped cover the loss of Ronald Acuna Jr. and push the franchise to a championship.
Adding Chapman gives you a chance to walk this same path and do so while keeping your current arms fresh for when the pressure is at its highest. Atlanta should at least consider the potential fit and explore whether or not Boston would part with the closer for a reasonable price ahead of this year's trade deadline.
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