It would have been, of course, a signal that the Red Sox did not intend to qualify for the postseason.
“Everybody kind of makes these calls to figure out what might gain traction and what wouldn’t,” Breslow continued. “But we’re a much better team when [manager Alex Cora] can call down to the bullpen and get Chapman up for the ninth inning with a lead.”
Chapman, 37, joined the Sox on a one-year, $10.75 million contract in December. Working as a full-time closer for the first time since 2021, Chapman has been dominant.
Among 187 relievers with at least 30 innings, he ranks fourth in ERA (1.29), fourth in WHIP (0.81), third in strikeout rate (38.8 percent), and third in fWAR (1.6).
In his career, Chapman has been traded twice at deadline — and went on to win the World Series both times. The Cubs sent Gleyber Torres to the Yankees for him in 2016. In 2023, he fetched standout starter Cole Ragans (plus a minor leaguer) for the Royals, who sent him to the Rangers.
The Sox, of course, holding the second American League wild-card spot, had no intention of moving him. That was true for the rest of the big league roster, too.
“Over the last two to three weeks, it became clear that all 26 guys on our roster were contributing to what we were doing,” Breslow said. “It was best to leave that group as it was and tried to use what I think is a strong and deep system to try to improve the team.”
Holding pattern for Mayer, Houck
Two of the Red Sox’ injured players — infielder Marcelo Mayer and righthander Tanner Houck — should have clarity soon about the fate of their season.
Mayer is seeking a second opinion on his strained right wrist, Breslow said, before he and the team “determine what the right course is.” He declined to say what the first opinion was.
“It’s pretty common practice at this point just to get multiple opinions, make sure that there is alignment in terms of what is happening, what the best course is,” Breslow said.
Breslow added that he plans to talk Friday to Houck, who has been seeking additional information from doctors about his strained right flexor pronator, which has sidelined him since mid-May (and with which he experienced a setback in mid-July).
“He is trying to weigh all of the information, what the right course is,” Breslow said.
An interesting few days for Alex Bregman got yet more interesting prior to the trade deadline: His former team, the Astros, re-acquired his longtime teammate, Carlos Correa, from the Twins.
Correa will make his Houston re-debut at Fenway Park in a series that begins Friday. He will play not his usual shortstop, but third base — Bregman’s old spot.
“Obviously I have a lot of good friends over there, I have a lot of good memories. Some friends for life,” Bregman said Wednesday, after the Sox finished a series against Correa’s Twins. “And yeah, I’m going to try everything possible to go out and win every game.
“It’s going to be different, because I played with those guys and I have really good relationships with everybody there, from top to bottom in the organization. A lot of good memories. A lot of wins. It’s going to be different.”
The Red Sox have not named a starter for Friday, but Breslow indicated it would not be Dustin May, acquired from the Dodgers on Thursday. Options include Cooper Criswell and Kyle Harrison. The AL West-leading Astros will go with Hunter Brown (2.54 ERA).
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.
