The Boston Red Sox began what they hope is a winter of extensive upgrades by agreeing to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman.
A person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Chapman and Boston were in agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced.
The club has met with superstar free agent slugger Juan Soto and for now remains in the derby for his services, and is expected to bid for at least one of the top remaining free agent pitching options.
But the build-back will begin with Chapman, who turns 36 in February and struck out 98 batters in 61 ⅔ innings of work with Pittsburgh last season. Chapman, who pitched seven seasons for the division rival Yankees, was part of the Texas Rangers’ World Series-winning bullpen after a 2023 trade from Kansas City.
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ESPN first reported that Boston and Chapman were in agreement on a deal.
Boston has finished in last place in the American League East in three of the past five years and has made just one playoff appearance since winning the 2018 World Series, despite the expanded postseason format.
While his 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings remains elite, Chapman has posted the highest ERAs of his career in two of the past three seasons – 3.79 in 68 appearances for the Pirates last season and 4.46 in 43 games with the Yankees in 2022.
With Liam Hendriks expected to be available by Opening Day after spending all of 2024 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Chapman will be expected to assume a set-up role in a Boston bullpen that must replace closer Kenley Jansen and late-inning stalwart Chris Martin.
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