Sports

Padres Eyeing Two Standout Relievers on Trade Market

By John Sparaco Athlon Sports

Although the trade deadline is still more than two months away, the often-aggressive San Diego Padres are already monitoring the market for potential reinforcements.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Padres have their eyes on Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman as they look for more bullpen help ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. He also reported that they have interest in Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies.

Chapman, 38, remains as dominant as ever in his 17th big league season. The 6-foot-4 left-hander has converted his last 27 save opportunities dating back to July 25, 2025, allowing no runs and just three hits over 25 innings during that span.

Through 18 appearances this season, Chapman owns a 0.51 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and seven walks in 17.2 innings. He is averaging 98 mph on his sinker, according to Statcast, and generating whiffs at a 52.9% clip with his putaway slider.

An eight-time All-Star and two-time AL Reliever of the Year, Chapman recently moved into 10th place on the all-time saves list. He is also 10 strikeouts away from passing Hoyt Wilhelm for the most strikeouts by a reliever in MLB history, which would further strengthen his Hall of Fame case.

Chapman is currently under a one-year, $13.3 million contract with the Red Sox. The deal includes a mutual/vesting $13 million club option for 2027, including a $300,000 buyout, that triggers if he pitches at least 40 innings this season.

While Boston entered Sunday with a 22-29 record, it is too early to determine whether the club will be sellers at the deadline. The Red Sox are currently just 2.5 games back of a wild-card spot in a wide-open American League. Colorado, meanwhile, owns the worst record in the National League and will likely be willing to listen to offers for Senzatela.

Senzatela, 31, is owed the remainder of his $12 million salary this year and has a $14 million club option for 2027. The former starter has looked like a vastly different pitcher since converting to a bullpen role late last season, emerging as one of the best relievers in baseball.

As a starter in 2025, Senzatela posted a 7.48 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over 108 innings. Opponents batted .352 against his fastball, making it one of the most hittable pitches in the majors. The right-hander responded by revamping his delivery and pitch usage over the offseason, and in 15 relief appearances this year, he is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 0.78 WHIP over 32 innings.

Senzatela has recorded four outs or more in all but one of his outings this season, serving as a multi-inning weapon late in games for Colorado. His fastball velocity is higher than ever before, averaging 97.1 mph, and his cutter usage has spiked from 1.8% to 30.8%. He is also getting batters to chase at a career-best 32.2% clip, resulting in an increase in strikeouts.

The Padres already boast one of the deeper bullpens in baseball, led by Mason Miller, Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez. Their relief unit ranks sixth in the majors with a 3.20 ERA and is tied for third in strikeouts with 320.

While starting pitching and offense are more obvious needs, San Diego appears wary of overworking its top relief arms. Miller has issued just nine walks in 23.2 innings this season, but six of them have come in his last six appearances. The star closer took his first loss on May 19 after throwing a combined 98 pitches over a one-week span, perhaps a sign another high-leverage arm is needed to help space out his outings.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 2:48 PM.

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