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The Boston Red Sox have made a key move to strengthen their team agreeing to a one-year, $10.75 million deal with veteran left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman. While the contract is still pending Chapman’s physical exam, which must be completed before it can be officially announced, the agreement is set to bring the hard-throwing reliever to Boston.
Chapman, 36, is expected to provide valuable support in the Red Sox bullpen, especially as the team searches for a closer with current closer Kenley Jansen on the free-agent market. Over his 15-season career, Chapman has become one of the most feared strikeout pitchers in baseball, tallying 1,246 strikeouts and a career ERA of 2.63. His impressive total of 335 saves ranks him 16th in MLB history.
A Proven Closer
Last season, Chapman posted a 3.79 ERA and added 14 saves with a 5-5 record, along with 98 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings. Although the Red Sox bullpen struggled last season, blowing 31 of 71 save opportunities and finishing with a 4.39 ERA, Chapman’s arrival offers hope for a more reliable late-game presence.
Chapman’s Career Achievements
Chapman’s career includes two World Series titles: one with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and another with the Texas Rangers in 2023. A seven-time All-Star, he is best known for his blazing fastball, which regularly reaches 105 mph, and his impressive career strikeout rate of 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings, the highest in MLB history. Chapman has consistently been a dominant force on the mound, known for his ability to close out games with velocity and precision.
Bolstering the Bullpen
The addition of Chapman gives the Red Sox bullpen a much-needed power arm. Last season, Boston's bullpen ranked 24th in ERA, and the team has prioritized adding left-handed pitching for late-inning relief this offseason. Although Chapman hasn't closed games since 2021, he could once again compete for the closer role alongside right-handers Liam Hendriks, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and rookie Justin Slaten, who impressed in his debut season.
A Storied Career with Some Controversy
Chapman’s career has not been without its ups and downs. After being traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees in 2016, he was suspended for 30 games under MLB’s domestic violence policy following an incident in which he allegedly fired a gun inside his home. That year, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he helped lead the team to its first World Series title in over a century. Chapman later returned to the Yankees before stints with the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Red Sox's decision to sign Chapman represents a bold step in rebuilding their bullpen, aiming to return to playoff contention in the coming season.
