Red Sox sign seven-time All-Star reliever to one-year deal

The Boston Red Sox are in agreement with a veteran lefty to add some much-needed help to a struggling bullpen.

The Red Sox and reliever Aroldis Chapman agreed to a one year, $10.75 million contract on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

With the physical pending, the team has not officially confirmed the agreement. It appears, though, that Chapman is on his way to Boston.

This would be a huge pickup for the Red Sox, given their ERA was 24th last season.

While Chapman has become a bit of a journeyman after playing his first six seasons in Cincinnati, playing for four teams since 2022, he still has a strong arm.

In 68 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2024 season, Chapman had 98 strikeouts, 39 walks, 14 saves and an ERA of 3.79. His fastball topped out at 105 mph, which shows the top-end velocity is still there for the 36-year-old. In fact, his fastball averaged just under 99 mph with a strikeout rate of 37.1 percent in 2024. That ranked in MLB’s 99th percentile, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. He also posted a strong 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Chapman passed Hall of Fame candidate Billy Wagner in the 2024 season for the most strikeouts all-time for a lefty reliever.

Aside from his speedy fastball, Chapman also utilizes a power sinker and slider. If there was an area that needed improvement, it would have to be Chapman’s control. His walk rate of 14.4 percent ranked near the bottom of the league in 2024.

While veteran right-hander Liam Hendriks is set to return from Tommy John surgery and right-hander Justin Slaten, who impressed in his rookie campaign (6-2, 58 K, nine BB, 2.93 ERA) is back for year two, getting left-handed pitching help is something the Red Sox prioritized heading into the offseason.

In his career, Chapman has a save percentage of 87.5, which is third among active pitchers (min. 150 saves), trailing only Kenley Jansen, who closed for Boston the last two seasons, and Craig Kimbrel.

The seven-time All-Star is sure to provide a much-needed boost for the Red Sox bullpen as they get a proven lefty that can pitch with the best of them.