Aroldis Chapman and Pirates Reach 1-Year, $10.5M Deal amidst Mets Speculation: MLB Updates on News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Fresh off helping the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series, Aroldis Chapman is reportedly going to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season.
Per Robert Murray of FanSided, the seven-time All-Star agreed to a deal with the Pirates. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted it was a one-year, $10.5 million contract.
This comes after Andy Martino of SNY reported the New York Mets were interested in the bullpen pitcher.
Chapman signed fairly late last offseason when he got a one-year deal from the Kansas City Royals worth $3.8 million plus incentives. The left-hander was looking for a rebound year after posting a career-worst 4.46 ERA with the New York Yankees in 2022.
The Yankees also left Chapman off their playoff roster for missing a workout before the American League Division Series.
Chapman did look better in the first half of the season in Kansas City. He had a 2.45 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 29.1 innings over 31 appearances.
The Royals quickly fell out of playoff contention, leading the bullpen-needy Rangers to acquire him on June 30. His performance fell off after the deal with a 3.72 ERA, 21 hits allowed and 16 walks in 29 innings with Texas.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy did turn to Chapman in several key spots during the playoffs. The 35-year-old often walked a dangerous tightrope, allowing seven hits and five walks in eight innings, but managed to escape largely unscathed with just two runs given up.
At this stage of his career, Chapman shouldn’t be counted on as the lights-out closer from his peak seasons. His velocity is still among the best in Major League Baseball, but he often has no idea where the ball is going when it leaves his hand.
Chapman has averaged 6.1 walks per nine innings in 165 appearances over the past three seasons. The only reliever with a higher walk rate during that span is Amir Garrett (6.2).
But being a lefty who can still touch 100 mph makes Chapman valuable in any bullpen. If he can regain some semblance of the control he had prior to 2021, this could be a bargain deal for the Pirates
(The following story may or may not have been edited by NEUSCORP.COM and was generated automatically from a Syndicated Feed. NEUSCORP.COM also bears no responsibility or liability for the content.)
