Pittsburgh Pirates and left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman have come to terms on a noteworthy one-year, $10.5 million contract, as confirmed by ESPN sources and multiple reports.
At 35 years old, Chapman continues to hold the distinction of being the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball since the introduction of velocity tracking to the game. He played a pivotal role for the Texas Rangers in their triumphant journey to their first World Series championship this year. Chapman’s signature fastball, which consistently averages more than 99 mph, allowed him to record an impressive 103 strikeouts in 58⅓ innings. Over the course of the season, he walked 36 batters and conceded four home runs, ultimately maintaining a commendable 3.09 ERA.
The Pirates, poised to be one of the youngest teams in the upcoming MLB season, have been proactive in fortifying their pitching staff with experienced left-handed arms. Earlier in the offseason, they secured the services of veteran lefties Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales.
Chapman’s career path took a turn for the better following a challenging 2022 season with the New York Yankees, who notably omitted him from their postseason roster. Subsequently, Chapman signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal with the Kansas City Royals for the 2023 season. However, he was traded to the Rangers in June in exchange for left-hander Cole Ragans.
The Rangers had high hopes for Chapman, envisioning him as a stabilizing force in their bullpen. While he didn’t quite solidify the closer role, Chapman played a crucial role in nine postseason games, allowing just two runs over eight innings. During this stretch, he recorded six strikeouts while issuing five walks.
Now entering his 15th major league season, Aroldis Chapman boasts a remarkable career as one of the most accomplished closers in baseball history. His career strikeout rate of 14.8 per nine innings ranks as the best among pitchers with over 500 innings pitched. Additionally, he has amassed 321 saves, a feat that places him tied for 21st on the all-time saves list. Chapman’s exceptional career has earned him seven All-Star selections, solidifying his place in baseball history.