The New York Mets are running the National League so far in June, which should set up an exciting summer.
New York got to a season-best 19 games over .500 with a walk-off win on Tuesday night. They've got an ever-improving offense and the best pitching staff in Major League Baseball from a statistical perspective.
That pitching staff has a hole, though, and it's left-handed relief pitching. Right now, their only lefty reliever is José Castillo, who they acquired for cash when the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment in May.
Could New York acquire one of the premier lefty fireballers not only this season, but in baseball history? That's what one baseball writer is proposing.
On Tuesday, John Sparaco of Mets on SI named Boston Red Sox left-hander Aroldis Chapman as a top potential trade target for New York at the deadline, provided Boston remains far enough out of the playoff race to sell him away.
"Chapman, 37, is still averaging an MLB-best 100.1 mph with his sinker and 98.6 mph with his four-seamer, according to Statcast. Of the 24 left-handed batters he has faced this season, 13 have struck out and only four have reached base," Sparaco wrote.
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"If the Mets acquire Chapman, the left-hander would likely serve as their primary setup man behind All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, but he could also close games if needed."
Chapman sports a 1.65 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings this season. His velocity has been there all along, but the major development is that his walk rate is down from 14.7 percent last season to 8.4 percent this year.
An ageless wonder, Chapman is a seven-time All-Star with a decent chance to add an eighth this summer. And the remainder of his $10.75 million salary will be chump change to the Mets by July.
More MLB: Yankees urged to trade for 3-time batting champion by MLB insider