Aroldis Chapman back to vintage form fuels Red Sox playoff push
Aroldis Chapman has spent his career as one of baseball’s most feared closers, and at 37 in his 16th season, he’s delivering a performance that could redefine how his Hall of Fame case is viewed. After a mid-career dip, Chapman is enjoying perhaps his best season yet in Boston, turning back the clock with numbers that stand out even by his lofty standards.
This year, Chapman owns a 1.15 ERA, the best mark of his career, along with a 0.72 WHIP and a 2.5 BB/9. If his ERA and strike-throwing efficiency weren’t enough, his control has been a key driver, as reflected by the lowest BB/9 of his career fueling a return to dominance on the mound. Since signing a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox last December, he has been a marquee addition to a bullpen that needed a rejuvenation, and he has delivered as one of the offseason’s best signings.
Chapman has converted 22 of 24 save chances this season and, more impressively, has allowed just one earned run across his last 29 appearances, posting a microscopic 0.35 ERA over that stretch. That run of excellence has helped him amass 2.5 WAR, the best mark of his career since 2016, and has given Boston a reliable late-inning option as it eyes a postseason berth in a four-year drought.
On the biggest stage, Chapman has carried that success into October, posting a 2.37 ERA over 49 1/3 postseason innings. While the Sox faced some hurdles in the spring and early fall, Chapman’s performance has remained a constant, a veteran force at the end of games when Boston most needed him.
In context, Chapman’s career includes eight All-Star selections, two World Series titles, and more than 350 saves across seven teams—a resume that continues to make a compelling case for a place in Cooperstown. This season in Boston could add another chapter to that story, reinforcing the idea that his resume isn’t just about past greatness but ongoing impact when it matters most.
What this means for Boston
– Chapman’s comeback has transformed Boston’s bullpen into a formidable late-inning force, a critical factor in the team’s playoff push.
– His one-year deal looks like an exceptional value given the immediate on-field impact and leadership he provides to a pitching staff aiming to maximize every opportunity in a tight race.
– If he maintains this level, Boston’s path to a deep October run gets a meaningful boost, and Chapman’s season could become a focal point of discussions about his career legacy.
Summary
Chapman, at 37, is delivering arguably the best season of his storied career in Boston. With elite numbers across ERA, WHIP, and command, plus clutch postseason work, he’s reasserted himself as one of the game’s most reliable high-leverage arms and a cornerstone of the Red Sox’s bid for a championship.
Positive note
Chapman’s resurgence offers hope that a veteran core can elevate a team to new heights, pairing experience with performance at the most demanding moments of the season.