A hard-throwing pitcher with some character issues: What to know about new Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman
The seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
The Red Sox on Tuesday agreed to a one-year deal with lefthanded reliever Aroldis Chapman. Here are five things to know about the veteran flamethrower.
He’s a World Series champion — twice
Chapman is a seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, winning with the Cubs in 2016 and the Rangers in 2023 following a trade from Kansas City at the deadline. Chapman, 36, pitched for the Pirates in 2024, compiling a 3.79 ERA and 1.346 WHIP in 61⅔ innings, fanning 98.
His velocity is unmatched
The Sox were searching for a high-leverage reliever, preferably a hard-throwing lefthander. Chapman fits that bill. He was the original “stuff” guy long before velocity became such a huge factor in baseball. Since his 2010 call-up with the Reds, Chapman ranks 14th in the majors in average pitch velocity at 99.1 miles per hour. It appeared as though Chapman might have been on his last legs after a forgettable season with the Yankees in 2022, in which he posted a 4.46 ERA in 36⅓ innings. He dealt with a shoulder injury, and upon his return, he had lost the closer role to Clay Holmes.
His character issues
Chapman’s character has been under scrutiny since 2015, when he was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute in which his girlfriend accused him of pushing and choking her. During the incident, Chapman admitted to firing gunshots in his garage. While no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, Major League Baseball conducted its own investigation and suspended him for 30 games.
Chapman’s departure from the Yankees also raised questions. After a 2022 season of struggles, he was not guaranteed a spot on the postseason roster. In response, Chapman skipped a mandatory workout at Yankee Stadium before the ALDS against the Guardians, choosing instead to stay at his home in Miami. That led the Yankees to conclude that Chapman’s tenure was over.
He’s adjusted his pitch mix
With depleted stuff, Chapman began to incorporate a sinker to go with his four-seam fastball/slider mix in 2023. He threw his sinker 16.2 percent of the time that year compared with just 5 percent in 2022. It paid off, as Chapman posted a 3.09 ERA in 2023, striking out 103 over 58⅓ innings, his highest strikeout total since 2015 (116) with the Reds.
Now what?
With Chapman, the Red Sox add a proven veteran with a high-powered left arm they’ve been seeking for years. They experimented with Bailey Horn and Cam Booser in 2024. Horn had been designated for assignment by the White Sox, and Booser was in his first year in the big leagues at 32. Neither was an established big-league reliever. Chapman not only has the résumé but also the postseason experience, something the Red Sox are hoping will help them return to the playoffs after missing October baseball in four of the last five years. Chapman is prone to walks, carrying a 12.6 percent walk rate for his career, including 14.7 in 2024. Yet when in the zone, he’s still among baseball’s best.
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