The Boston Red Sox made a move Tuesday to add a left-handed reliever to their bullpen. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with Aroldis Chapman on a one-year, $10.75 million contract.
Chapman just completed his 15th year in the majors, and the Red Sox will be his seventh team. The Cuban native has a 2.63 ERA since his debut in 2010. In 2024, at age 36, he had a 3.79 ERA in 68 games and 61 2/3 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also saved himself in 14 games.
Those aren’t extraordinary numbers for a reliever, but Chapman has something most relievers over 35 (or any age) don’t: a fireball. His plus-100 mph velocity is what has always set him apart as a hitter, and in 2024 he was still able to pitch the Pirates at that velocity. In addition, he was able to maintain a high strikeout rate of 14.9 per nine. changes in 2024.
This is exactly what the Red Sox need. They finished the 2024 season with a 4.39 bullpen ERA, 24th in the majors. Their bullpen has become one of their main concerns heading into the 2024 season, so overhauling their relief corps appears to be one of their top priorities this winter. Their only other major league offseason signing came in November when they signed left-handed reliever Justin Wilson to a one-year, $2.25 million deal.