Report: Red Sox 'Aggressive' In Pursuing Aroldis Chapman
BOSTON (CBS) -- The last-place Red Sox need improvements on multiple fronts, and the bullpen would certainly qualify as an area of need.
And according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox are in "aggressive" pursuit of reliever Aroldis Chapman this week at the GM meetings.
Chapman, 27, pitched 66.1 innings last year, compiling a 1.63 ERA, 1.15 WHIP to go with 116 strikeouts and 33 walks while going 33-for-36 in save opportunities.
The left-handed fire-baller made a tick over $8 million last year, and he's in line for a raise next year before becoming a free agent in 2017.
The Red Sox have seen closer Koji Uehara's performance go south in the past two seasons, and acquiring a replacement for the 40-year-old would seemingly be a priority this winter.
In six MLB seasons, Chapman owns a 2.17 ERA and 1.02 WHIP to go with 546 strikeouts and 155 walks. He's been named an All-Star for four consecutive seasons. It's unclear at this moment what the Red Sox would have to give up in order to acquire Chapman, but it's a picture that could materialize in the coming weeks.
