Are the Yankees ready to contend for a World Series? A-Rod weighs in
Alex Rodriguez stopped by to chat with Mackenzie Salmon and the two discussed whether this current Yankees team is built to win a World Series?
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
Unlike NBA free agency, there’s no formal kickoff to Major League Baseball’s trade deadline season. But the Texas Rangers are certainly the first ones on the board.
The Rangers shored up an urgent need by acquiring Kansas City Royals reliever Aroldis Chapman on Friday. In exchange, the Royals will receive left-hander Cole Ragans and Dominican prospect Roni Cabrera.
Chapman, 35, looked to revitalize his career in Kansas City after his six-year tenure with the New York Yankees ended with the left-hander skipping a mandatory workout and getting omitted from the club’s playoff rosters. In moving to a set-up role with Kansas City, Chapman has done just that, posting a 2.45 ERA and striking out 53 in 29⅓ innings. Chapman has 317 career saves and averages 14.8 strikeouts per inning over his 14-year career.
The Rangers can use the relief.
Texas ranks 13th in the American League in bullpen ERA, even as late-spring signee Will Smith has stabilized the closer role with 14 saves and a 2.75 ERA. And the Rangers were motivated to act fast: They open a four-game series Friday with the second-place Houston Astros; Chapman presumably will be available for the series’ final three games.
Chapman is making $3.75 million and can be a free agent after the season. MLB’s trade deadline is Aug. 1.
Ragans, 25, has appeared in 26 games, nine of them starts, the past two seasons, with a 5.32 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He was drafted 30th overall by Texas in the 2016 draft. Cabrera, 17, is in his second season in the Dominican Summer League. He was signed for a $10,000 bonus in the 2022 signing period.
