Aroldis Chapman says Red Sox did their ‘due diligence’ before signing him
Chapman was previously suspended 30 games for an alleged domestic violence incident during the 2015-16 offseason.
When the Red Sox signed Aroldis Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million deal earlier in December, there was some concern among fans about the acquisition due to an off-field incident in 2015.
Chapman was involved in an alleged domestic violence incident with his girlfriend in October 2015. He was accused of pushing and choking his girlfriend before firing gunshots, causing MLB to suspend him 30 games even though no charges were filed.
Still, the incident and suspension caused teams to shy away from pursuing Chapman in a possible trade with the Reds at the time. The Red Sox actually agreed to send a pair of prospects to the Reds for Chapman in the 2015-16 offseason, but pulled out of trade talks when they learned of the alleged incident. Details of the incident broke when the Dodgers had a deal in place for Chapman that offseason, nixing the trade shortly after. The Yankees eventually traded for Chapman that offseason.
Nine years later, Chapman said that he sought help following the alleged incident. He also said the Red Sox checked in with other people before signing him.
“Obviously, it was a difficult process,” Chapman told reporters through a translator on Thursday. “But after the suspension, I went to therapy. I went to see a doctor and we still talk. But yes, it was a long process. At the same time, that helped me to be a better person and it helped me to become a better teammate, a better person in the community.
“Regarding the Red Sox, they did their due diligence. They talked to a lot of people to ensure that it was in the past and for me, it’s good to be here.”
After serving the 30-game suspension under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, Chapman hasn’t had any off-field incidents since. He’s also been acquired by five teams since then, including the Yankees for a second time when they signed him as a free agent in the 2016-17 offseason.
Chapman remained one of the game’s top relievers for much of the last nine seasons. earning three All-Star nods since then. He hasn’t been a team’s primary closer, though, since the 2021 season, when he saved 30 games with the Yankees.
The Red Sox could use Chapman as their closer in 2025. Kenley Jansen, who was their closer for the prior two seasons, is a free agent and isn’t expected to return. All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who the team signed last offseason, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023.
Chapman said he’s yet to discuss what certain role he might have out of the bullpen for the Red Sox, but he’s prepared for whatever role comes his way.
“I feel like I don’t have any problem pitching in any kind of situation,” Chapman said. “I’ve pretty much been in every role in the bullpen, so any time they need me, I’ll be ready to pitch.”
Chapman was mostly used in the eighth inning or in non-save situations in the ninth inning or later with the Royals, Rangers, and Pirates over the last two seasons. He went 11-10 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.300 WHIP, and 201 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched over 129 outings over that stretch.
At 36, Chapman wants his role with the team to be more than just pitching in high-leverage situations. He said he also wants to serve as a leader for the younger players on the roster, saying he feels “like it’s my turn to fill that role.”
Chapman will get the opportunity to do that with a team that he claimed he wanted to join the moment the Red Sox “contacted” him in free agency.
“To be here in such a historic organization, one of the biggest, major organizations in the league for me, it’s a huge honor to be here,” Chapman said. “The negotiations were between my agent and the team. When my agent brought the option to go to Boston, for me it was just happiness. I was very happy to be able to come to Boston.”
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