SB Nation Reacts: Aroldis Chapman is your choice for a reliever the Cubs should pursue

By admin — In News — July 10, 2026

   ​Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a fan survey spanning MLB. Throughout the year, we poll the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans nationwide. Sign up here to participate in our weekly emailed surveys. As was evident in Thursday’s 3-2 Cubs loss to the Orioles, the team is in clear need of help both in the bullpen and in the starting rotation. While injured relievers returning could provide some relief, that may not be enough on its own. Earlier this week, I asked you to weigh in on this SB Nation Reacts survey: which of a provided list of relievers would you like the Cubs to pursue? Or is there someone else you have in mind? Here are the results: by a wide margin, you favored reuniting with 2016 World Series champion Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, now 38, has had a solid year for the Red Sox, appearing in 29 games and logging 27.2 innings with a 2.28 ERA and a 1.229 WHIP. His walk rate has risen slightly, but he’s kept balls in the yard, allowing only one home run in 117 faced batters. He’s converted 19 saves in 21 opportunities—the single-season total surpassing the Cubs’ entire bullpen so far this year. Chapman is earning $13 million this season; the Cubs could possibly cover a bit less than half of that without surrendering a top prospect. There is a $13 million mutual option that vests if he pitches at least 40 innings this year and passes a postseason physical, which could be a concern. Interestingly, Chapman wears No. 44 for Boston, a number he has used at various stops; the Cubs currently don’t have a No. 54 on the roster this year, a number last worn by Ryan Brasier (do you remember him?). Reuniting Chapman would allow him to wear the same number he did with the 2016 champions. One final note: you’ve likely heard about the domestic violence allegations from years past. Chapman addressed those when the Cubs acquired him in 2016, and there have been no similar incidents since. I wrote about this issue when the Cubs brought him aboard in 2016. Moving on to the rest of the survey results: you didn’t favor the other options as strongly, with “someone else” finishing in second place, as several readers commented with suggestions. Feel free to share additional ideas in the comments. Now, here are the results from four national questions asked this week about postseason awards. If Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to play at his current level, he could become a serious MVP contender alongside Shohei Ohtani, even if Ohtani remains the favorite. The vote was closer for the MVP than you might expect, and its outcome could hinge on the remainder of the season. The question about postseason awards drew a tighter contest than anticipated and may depend on several factors, including PCA’s continued performance and the broader field.  

Content Source: Yahoo News

Image Credit: Getty Images

All rights to the news content and images belong to their respective copyright owners.