The Boston Red Sox have made a significant move in Major League Baseball free agency, signing left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman to a one-year contract worth $10.75 million, according to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The completion of this deal is contingent upon Chapman passing a physical examination.
Chapman appeared to hint at the agreement by sharing a photo of himself wearing a Red Sox cap on social media.
After missing the postseason for three consecutive years, Red Sox management has emphasized the need for proactive steps this offseason. The addition of Chapman marks the team’s commitment to strengthening their bullpen, following the earlier signing of veteran reliever Justin Wilson on November 14.
Last season, the 36-year-old Chapman posted a 3.79 ERA across 61.2 innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This will be his fifth team in four years and the seventh team in his 15-season career. Once regarded as one of baseball’s elite closers, known for his fastball exceeding 100 mph, Chapman has earned seven All-Star selections and secured two World Series championships during his career—with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.
However, Chapman’s recent performance has raised concerns; he hasn’t achieved an ERA below 3.00 since 2019 and comes with a complex off-field history, including a 30-game suspension in 2016 due to a domestic violence incident.
Furthermore, the Red Sox remain in pursuit of superstar free agent Juan Soto, suggesting that the signing of Chapman could be the first of several strategic moves this winter.
This acquisition potentially signals a new direction for the Red Sox as they aim to reshape their roster and return to competitiveness in the league.
With this signing, fans may find hope in the team’s commitment to improvement and the possibility of a more dynamic season ahead.