Red Sox add to bullpen with first major free agency signing
In their first major signing of free agency, the Boston Red Sox agreed to terms with pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
With the Juan Soto saga ongoing, the Boston Red Sox are also keeping an eye on the rest of the free agent market. On Tuesday the team made its first major signing of this free agency period.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman. The lefty comes in on a one-year deal worth $10.75 million.
Chapman, who turns 37 in February, joins the Red Sox for his 16th MLB season. He’s been an All-Star seven times, most recently in 2021.
During his career Chapman has been one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball. Last year his average sinker speed ranked third in the league at 99.8 MPH, while his average fastball speed ranked ninth at 97.8 MPH.
The Red Sox will be Chapman’s seventh MLB team. He spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds (2010-2015) and New York Yankees (2016, 2017-2022). Chapman was suspended for 30 games in 2016 under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
While Chapman began his career as a closer, over the past few seasons he’s been used more as a middle reliever. Last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates he appeared in 68 games going 5-5 with 14 saves in 19 chances. He had a 3.79 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 98 strikeouts and 39 walks in 61.2 innings.
In Boston Chapman joins a Red Sox bullpen that needs to improve from last season. In 2024 their 4.39 team bullpen ERA ranked 24th in the league. Boston’s 31 blown saves were the second-most in baseball behind only the Chicago White Sox.
