One area the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to improve upon is left-handed relief pitching depth. Currently Hoby Milner is the only consistent left-handed pitcher in the bullpen. Players like Alex Claudio and Bennett Sousa have had brief appearances with the team but to no avail. It’s possible that a steady veteran presence could help this team.
The Brewers do have veteran Justin Wilson stashed on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but they could also look to add another experienced player. Recently the Kansas City Royals have reported that they have been receiving phone calls regarding reliever Aroldis Chapman. Could the Brewers look to target him?
Should Kansas City Royals reliever Aroldis Chapman be a trade target for the Milwaukee Brewers?
Aroldis Chapman signed a one year $3.75MM guaranteed contract during the offseason with the potential to make up to $5.00 with incentives. Having signed as a free agent, under the new collective bargaining agreement rules the Royals have to ask permission to trade him this early in the season. That restriction is lifted on June 15.
One reason that he is receiving trade interest is because his early season numbers are quite impressive. The hard throwing left-handed pitcher is averaging 99 MPH on his fastball and overall has a 38% strikeout rate. He is not closing games this year, but given his past experience this makes him an intriguing option for a contending team to consider.
Should the Royals elect to trade Aroldis Chapman, it should not cost much to acquire him. The Royals are off to a bad start this year and Chapman is a rental player. A prospect or two outside of the top 30 would likely get a deal done.
It will be interesting to see if the Brewers become linked to Aroldis Chapman or not. Regardless he figures to be a well sought after trade target this season.
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