Rumor: Update: Red Sox, Aroldis Chapman Agree to a Deal

[Matthew Lenz]

UPDATE: it's being widely reported, that a deal has been agreed upon.

The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of nearing a deal with left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman.

 

Details of the potential deal have not been leaked anywhere, but the power pitcher is entering his age-37 season and has inked back-to-back one-year deals with the Kansas City Royals in 2023 and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024 worth $3.75 million and $10.5 million, respectively. After a solid but unspectacular season with the Pirates, I'd imagine he would get something between those two figures on a short-term deal.

With the Pirates, Chapman made 68 appearances sporting a 3.79 ERA / 2.96 FIP and a 22.3% K-BB rate. Even as he's in the twilight of his career, he's been able to maintain one of the fastest four-seamers in baseball, although hitters have found more success against the offering as of late as it carried a -1 run value in 2024. He also has a sinker and slider that he uses to generate soft contact and high whiff rates.

What do you think about the Red Sox landing Chapman?

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[vjcsmoke]

He's a decent lefty to have in the bullpen. And since it's a 1 year deal there's no long term cap impact. Feels like a small win.

[mvp 78]

Saying this signing is underwhelming is the understatement of the offseason. I can't see them picking up another LHP for the pen now. 

Do not like. 

[JMF]

I always need a player to hope they fail and this sack of s*** will definitely be it this season.

[Bellhorn04]

Based on some of the posts at SoSH, this is not going to go over well at all.   

[moonslav59]

I hope they don't think Chapman and hendriks are the 9th inning/8th inning guys.

Slaten & Whitlock are the 8th inning/set-up me.

Wilson or Bernardino the other lefty

Guerrero/Penrod/Kelly/Weissert/Fulmer fillers

Winckowski/Criswell/Fitts/ Priester/Dobbins the long men and spot starters.

 

I'm not even sure adding Hoffman, Estevez or Holmes would be nough.

 

Maybe a trade for Helsley would be the best idea.

 

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Do we really need a domestic violence lefty, who last year also tied Jarren Duran for two-game vocabulary suspensions?

But just to get ready, I watched an entire youtube of game-tying or game-losing home runs given up by Chapman, including 7,516 on sliders after swings and misses at 100 mph heaters.

Good thing his new pitching coach prefers breaking balls.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

2 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Do we really need a domestic violence lefty, who last year also tied Jarren Duran for two-game vocabulary suspensions?

But just to get ready, I watched an entire youtube of game-tying or game-losing home runs given up by Chapman, including 7,516 on sliders after swings and misses at 100 mph heaters.

Good thing his new pitching coach prefers breaking balls.

And they signed him for one year? Are we really still going year to year, just trying to get through another season before we actually go for it? I thought, I mean I was told (by the president-derelict) we won't be just fighting for a wild card next year... but a division title!

[moonslav59]

28 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

And they signed him for one year? Are we really still going year to year, just trying to get through another season before we actually go for it? I thought, I mean I was told (by the president-derelict) we won't be just fighting for a wild card next year... but a division title!

At his age, it is a good thing to be just one year.

I'm hoping we sign a top RP'er to 3-4 years. Chapman and hendriks would be okay as set-up me. Slaten & Whitlock as 7th inning guys, and Wink as the long man.

[Jasonbay44]

Aroldis Chapman is a s***** person and is washed up as a player. Don’t like this signing at all