Cubs trade idea with Red Sox reunites with beloved closer for two notable prospects

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Cubs trade idea with Red Sox reunites with beloved closer for two notable prospects image

May 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) pitches during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs are heading into July on a bit of a hot streak and looking like one of the top postseason and World Series contenders again.

But when it comes to the MLB trade deadline, there's still a big question over what this team will end up doing. They could go big, or they could add a few depth options to round out the bullpen and the rotation.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report proposed a trade idea that would have the Cubs going for another title, and doing so by trading with the Boston Red Sox to reunite with beloved closer from the World Series team, Aroldis Chapman, at the cost of two notable prospects.

Cubs trade idea lands Aroldis Chapman for 2 prospects

"The Trade: Chicago Cubs acquire LHP Aroldis Chapman from Boston Red Sox for C Ariel Armas and RHP Brooks Caple," Miller writes.

Chapman, the 38-year-old veteran lefty flame-throwing reliever, would be an incredible pickup for the Cubs. He's exactly the kind of bullpen help this team needs.

Daniel Palencia has battled injuries this season, and Chapman would not just be a solution to the closer role in 2026, but likely 2027 as well.

He has a 2027 option that vests if he reaches 40 innings this season, and entering July, he has 24.2 innings pitched with the Red Sox.

To land such a pitcher, Miller has the Cubs trading a pair of notable prospects to the Red Sox for the veteran closer. While it's not their top prospects, these two are noteworthy prospects to the Cubs.

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First, Caple is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher and 2024 draft pick who has a 3.23 ERA this season in 13 games (12 starts) at High-A and Double-A. That's a noteworthy prospect, though, since he's a little older, it's not too drastic a loss.

Armas is also 23 years old, and he has a .583 OPS in Double-A this season, and has a .634 OPS in his minor league career since being drafted in 2024.

While both might be more notable prospects for the Cubs, trading those two for Chapman would make a lot of sense. The Cubs need a closer, and Chapman is likely the best one available at the MLB trade deadline this year.

Caple and Armas are more notable prospects, but if the Cubs could pay this price for Chapman, it's the kind of deal that should be a no-brainer for the Cubs.

This trade idea from Miller is one the Cubs should only hope to make, as Chapman would be perfect for this team.