AL West-leading Rangers acquire once-dominant closer Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Royals #Westleading #Rangers #acquire #oncedominant #closer #Aroldis #Chapman #trade #Royals

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers acquired Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the Kansas City Royals on Friday, adding a once-dominant closer to their bullpen as the AL West leaders chase their first division title in seven years.

The 35-year-old Chapman wasn’t of much use to the last-place Royals, where the left-hander landed this season after a six-year stint with the New York Yankees. Just before that, he split 2016 between the Yankees and Cubs, helping Chicago win its first World Series championship in 108 years.

Kansas City gets left-hander Cole Ragans, who had been called up from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day, and minor league outfielder Roni Cabrera.

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez, front, beats the tag by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez to steal home during the tenth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 4-3 in ten innings. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

José Ramirez daringly stole home for the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, but the Kansas City Royals rebounded to beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on pinch-hitter Freddy Fermin’s two-run double in the bottom half.

FILE - Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, May 9, 2023, in Cleveland. Francona will not be with the team Wednesday, June 28, for a second straight game after being hospitalized when he felt poorly before a series opener against the Kansas City Royals. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett, File)

Guardians manager Terry Francona was back at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday for their finale of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals after dealing with a health issue earlier this week.

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez crosses the plate after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

José Ramírez hit his fifth career grand slam and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 14-1.

FILE - Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona watches batting practice before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, April 21, 2023, in Cleveland. Francona will not be with the team Wednesday, June 28, for a second straight game after being hospitalized when he felt poorly before a series opener against the Kansas City Royals. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett, File)

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona will not be with the team for a second straight game after being hospitalized when he became lightheaded before a series opener against the Kansas City Royals.

The Texas bullpen has been hot and cold while the Rangers have spent most of the season in first place coming off six consecutive losing seasons.

Chapman had two saves in 31 appearances for Kansas City, which is buried in last in the AL Central, more than 10 games behind the fourth-place Chicago White Sox.

The Cuban reliever who routinely tops 100 mph has seen a slight uptick in velocity this season. Chapman has averaged 101.65 mph on his sinker, up from 100.25 last year. His fastball average is 99.61 mph, up from a career-low 97.46 in 2022.

Chapman broke into the majors with Cincinnati in 2010 and pitched for the Reds through 2015. He is 24th on the career saves list with 317, but has just one season with 30 since 2020. He drifted in and out of the closer role late in his career with the Yankees.