Are the Boston Red Sox entirely confident in their current closer scenario? Aroldis Chapman, now 37, has had a steady start to the 2025 season, though not without flaws. His first notable misstep as a member of the Red Sox occurred on Saturday when he conceded a walk-off RBI single to Chicago White Sox infielder Brooks Baldwin in the ninth inning.
Baldwin’s solid hit off Chapman allowed White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who had been walked by Chapman earlier in the inning, to score. Despite the loss on Saturday, Chapman redeemed himself on Sunday by securing his third save of the season, helping Boston avoid a sweep in Chicago. Chapman’s record now stands at 2-1, with a 1.29 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and three saves.
He won the closer role during Spring Training over 36-year-old Liam Hendriks, who has overcome significant challenges recently but begins the season on the Injured List. While Chapman hasn’t been a letdown overall, the Red Sox might still feel slightly unsettled having both Chapman and Hendriks, at 37 and 36 years old respectively, as their main options for closing games when September and October arrive.
Even if Chapman remains fit and Hendriks makes a comeback (both significant uncertainties), it might benefit the Red Sox to explore the trade market for another late-inning pitcher or an established closer. This is where the St. Louis Cardinals could be involved. The Cardinals feature Ryan Helsley, a 30-year-old reigning National League Reliever of the Year and MLB saves leader, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22640387/usa_today_16168649.jpg)
If the Cardinals decide to sell at the trade deadline, they might find value in trading Helsley rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. Helsley is likely to attract several interested teams, including the New York Yankees. The Yankees’ interest would further motivate the Red Sox to join the pursuit and acquire Helsley, preventing their long-time rivals from doing so.
Boston could offer some of its top prospects (excluding Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony) to the Cardinals in exchange for Helsley, and St. Louis might respond by inquiring about players like Triston Casas, Ceddanne Rafaela, or Trevor Story. The key takeaway is that if the Red Sox are committed to ensuring success in the 2025 postseason, they should consider significantly enhancing their late-inning relief options.
