The Texas Rangers made their first big trade of the season, acquiring veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for relief pitcher Cole Ragans and minor league outfielder Roni Cabrera.
The Rangers needed to make a move to bolster the bullpen as the team has converted on just 51.7% of its save chances this season and enters Monday’s game against Houston with the fourth-highest earned run average (ERA) in the American League.
“We have been following [him] very closely all year,” Rangers Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Young told the media in a press conference shortly after the trade was announced on Friday. “We’ve had a lot of scouts go through Kansas City and follow their team, and I think what we’re seeing is a pitcher who’s really back to the way he was pitching a couple years ago…”
“We’re excited,” Young continued. “We think he fits a need in our bullpen in terms of the swing-and-miss and being able to pitch leverage in the back of the bullpen. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Rangers.”
Chapman is a seven-time All-Star closer who has spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees and was a critical midseason addition to the 2016 Chicago Cubs team that snapped a 108-year World Series title drought. He also owns the third-most saves among active players and the 24th-most in MLB history.
“Look forward to having him,” Manager Bruce Bochy told the media after Friday’s loss to Houston. “This is a guy with a lot of experience [and] great stuff. He’s been through, with his experience, a lot of big games — postseason and things like that. He’s still throwing the ball very well… I’m excited to have him. He’s going to help out this bullpen [and] gives us another weapon down there.”
The MLB trade deadline is not until August 1, but the Rangers decided it was the right time to make a move that can help the club.
“Acting early, we get an extra month of Aroldis Chapman, and I think that’s a great thing for our team,” Young explained. “He’s got playoff experience, obviously an electric arm, and he’s going to make our team better [and] make our bullpen better. Hopefully, it leads to us winning more games over the next month.”
While traditionally a closer, Chapman struggled in the role for the Yankees last season, ending with the worst ERA of his MLB career while dealing with injuries.
Kansas City signed him in the offseason, decided to use him in a different role, and has seen his numbers improve.
The Rangers have noticed and will take a similar approach.
“We plan to use him similar to what Kansas City has done,” Young told the media. “We’ll be sort of matchup based to start and see how it evolves.”
“We’ll pick our spots,” Bochy added after Friday’s game. “[It] depends on the usage of the bullpen. He’s shown his versatility with Kansas City. He’s pitched everywhere from the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth…gives us some options there, which is a good thing.”
Chapman made his Rangers debut during Sunday’s loss to Houston, pitching a scoreless seventh inning while throwing just 16 pitches. He struck out the first two batters he faced, gave up a single to Jose Altuve, and induced a groundout from Alex Bregman to end the frame.
“He was good,” Bochy told the media after the game. “He really threw the ball well. One little hit there, but I think you saw what he is — a big arm [and] tough competitor. His debut, I thought, went really well.”
Chapman is the first notable addition for the Rangers this season, who may be in the market for more as the team vies for a division title and a postseason berth.
“Our goal will be to improve this club for the short-term and also to set us up for success in the long-term as well,” Young concluded.
The Rangers wrap up a four-game home series with the Houston Astros on Monday before traveling to Boston to begin a series with the Red Sox on Tuesday.