Many Boston Red Sox fans weren't thrilled when the team signed former New York Yankee and polarizing closer Aroldis Chapman.
But Chapman has been rock solid out of the closer spot for Boston. The 37-year-old has allowed two runs over 12.1 innings so far this season, good for a 2.19 ERA, and is 5-for-5 in saves. Chapman is also breaking Red Sox records with his pitches — Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reported on April 28 that Chapman's 102.3 miles per hour pitch from April 19 made history as the fastest ever thrown by a Red Sox player.
Chapman's success with Boston is a welcome surprise after he posted a bit of a down year with the Pirates in 2024. He clocked a 3.79 ERA, the second-highest of his 16-year career, with 14 saves, 98 strikeouts and 39 walks over 61.2 innings. Despite his struggles and rougher-than-usual command, Chapman shared that he would've liked to remain with Pittsburgh for another season.
"I was interested in coming back," Chapman said to John Perrotto of Pgh Baseball Now. "I guess they didn’t want me. It’s too bad, but I’m happy where I’m at now."
Aroldis Chapman hoped to re-sign with Pirates before signing with Red Sox in free agency
The Pirates could've benefited from keeping Chapman around for another season. David Bednar has struggled in the late innings, and he was even optioned to Triple-A from April 1-19 to try and turn his luck around. He's clocked a 5.00 ERA over nine innings across 11 appearances.
Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh's other closer option, has been solid in the early goings. He's notched a 1.26 ERA with three walks, four holds and three saves on the same number of opportunities over 14.1 frames. He doesn't collect strikeouts at Chapman's clip, though, with nine so far.
The confounding part about Chapman's departure from the Pirates organization is that they could've signed him for a similar price to his 2024 salary. The closer signed with the Red Sox for $10.75 million, just $250,000 more than he made with the Pirates last year. Pirates owner, Bob Nutting, isn't one for spending money, however, so the extra $250,000 may have been a dealbreaker for him.
Pittsburgh should've put the extra money into its bullpen this year to back up its increasingly dominant rotation, featuring Paul Skenes and eventually top prospect Jared Jones. Instead, the Red Sox benefited from the Pirates' stinginess.