David Ortiz believes that the Boston Red Sox could significantly benefit from acquiring Juan Soto this offseason. Meanwhile, the team has made a notable addition to its roster by signing veteran relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman, known for his incredible fastball that often exceeds 100 mph, has agreed to a one-year contract valued at $10.75 million, pending a physical examination. This information was reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan. On social media, Chapman expressed his excitement for joining the Red Sox by posting a photo of himself wearing their cap with the caption, “Let’s go!”
In the previous season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chapman recorded a respectable ERA of 3.79 and tallied 98 strikeouts over 68 appearances. His illustrious 15-year MLB career includes time with several teams, notably the New York Yankees, where he played for seven seasons. Overall, he boasts an impressive career ERA of 2.63, 355 saves, and 1,246 strikeouts across 760 innings pitched.
Chapman’s career began with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and he has since played for multiple teams, including a stint during the 2016 season with both the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. Recently, he has spent time with the Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and, lastly, the Pirates.
It’s worth noting that Chapman faced a 30-game suspension while with the Yankees in 2016 after being penalized under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy for an incident involving his girlfriend, which did not lead to criminal charges. Chapman has since accepted responsibility for his actions, publicly apologizing and stating that he never intended to cause harm.
In summary, the addition of Aroldis Chapman to the Red Sox bullpen could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s performance, especially as they look to strengthen their roster during this offseason. The anticipation of potentially acquiring Juan Soto adds to the hope that the franchise will continue to build a competitive team moving forward. The Red Sox fans have much to look forward to with these developments.