Sep 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Boston Red Sox squeaked into the playoffs this season, and they absolutely could not have done so without Aroldis Chapman closing out games.
Not only was Chapman 32 of 34 in save opportunities, but he was unhittable at times, going 50 straight at-bats without allowing a hit at one point. He finished the season with a 1.17 ERA and should be a lock for the Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year Award.
One might think having Chapman back for next season to pair with the likes of Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten would mean the Red Sox’s bullpen is fairly set in stone. But a Thursday report certainly brought that notion into question.
According to Ken Rosenhal, Katie Woo, and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Red Sox are mulling the possibility of adding another high-leverage arm to pair with Chapman and create the kind of “super bullpen” that clubs such as the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and New York Yankees have tried to create of late.
“Though the idea is further down their list of priorities, the Boston Red Sox are considering the addition of a high-leverage reliever to create a version of a super bullpen, people familiar with the club’s thinking said,” wrote Rosenthal, Woo, and Sammon.
“To be clear, the Red Sox do not intend to unseat lefty closer Aroldis Chapman from his role after his dominant season. Also, right-hander Garrett Whitlock is a viable late-inning option. But adding another reliever similar to that pair would obviously enhance their bullpen.”
The timing here coincides with Sammon’s separate report that the Red Sox have some level of interest in New York Yankees closer Devin Williams in free agency. And what a treat it would be for Boston if two former Yankees, both of whom were essentially run out of town by the fan base, formed an unstoppable tandem late in games. Heck, even Whitlock was a Yankees farmhand before the Red Sox took him in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Athletic also mentioned Robert Suárez, Pete Fairbanks, Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Luke Weaver as names that could be in the mix for the Red Sox. Notably, the insiders guessed that Edwin Díaz would be out of Boston’s preferred price range.
All of that said, Boston has lots of agenda items this winter, so while this idea might be tantalizing, it shouldn’t be the No. 1 priority in terms of money spent.
“We’ve got to be better, plain and simple. There’s no excuse for where we are right now. We need to hold ourselves accountable and make the necessary changes, because this isn’t acceptable.”
— Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres Forward
Buffalo Sabres fans, brace yourselves: change is coming. After yet another brutal defeat — a 5-2 loss to Utah followed by a 6-2 drubbing by the Colorado Avalanche — it’s clear that this team is nowhere near the contender they were supposed to be this season. And for fans who’ve waited 14 years for a playoff spot, the latest string of losses is a hard pill to swallow. With Buffalo’s record now at a dismal
Sabres in Crisis Mode: A Season on the Brink
The loss to the Avalanche capped off a disastrous five-game losing streak, with
The truth is, the Sabres have been in this situation for far too long. The fans are fed up, and even the players are starting to admit what’s been painfully obvious:
The End of the Line for Adams and Ruff?
At this point, there is no denying that accountability must fall on both
As Tuch stated, “There’s no excuse for where we are right now.” The Sabres have been left behind in a rapidly advancing NHL, and with another playoff-less season on the horizon, it’s time for ownership to act.
The Roster Shake-Up: Who’s Safe and Who’s Not?
But it’s not just the front office and coaching staff that needs to change. With this current Sabres team showing no signs of getting it together, nearly
The Sabres need to shed their past — and that means moving out players who aren’t contributing to the rebuild. It’s a painful reality, but every player needs to be held accountable
for this team’s continued failure. It’s no longer about potential or promises — it’s about delivering results, and if you’re not part of the solution, you’ll be part of the problem.
Buffalo’s Road to Redemption: How to Fix the Sabres?
So, what now for Buffalo? The road to redemption starts with tough decisions. Kevyn Adams will need to make bold moves to reshape the roster, bringing in fresh talent to bolster the lineup. The Sabres’ defense needs a complete overhaul, and the goaltending situation is looking more desperate by the day. The team can no longer afford to let mediocrity slip by — it’s time to build a
This won’t be an easy fix, but with the right moves, Buffalo could finally start to dig itself out of this hole. The fans deserve a competitive team, and the Sabres owe it to themselves to deliver.
Can the Sabres Turn It Around?
There’s no sugar-coating it — the Sabres’ current path is not sustainable. Another year of misery for Buffalo fans will simply not do. As the Sabres face the harsh reality of their worst season in recent memory, one thing is clear:
The time for change is now — and for the first time in years, it feels like the Sabres have no choice but to start fresh.