Former Pirates Reliver Aroldis Chapman Heads Elsewhere

There will not be a reunion in 2025 between left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Chapman has agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. The deal is pending a physical.

For Boston, it’s the second left-handed reliever they’ve signed this winter. Coincidently, the other is another former Pirates’ pitcher in Justin Wilson.

Last offseason, the Pirates signed Chapman to a nearly identical one-year deal for $10.5 million, the largest guarantee given by general manager Ben Cherington in free agency.

Despite dealing with a few hiccups and command issues early in the season, Chapman was one of the Pirates’ best relievers this past season and replaced David Bednar as closer amidst his struggles.

In his lone season with the Pirates, Chapman went 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA and recorded 14 saves. The flamethrower struck out 98 batters in 61.2 innings and eclipsed Billy Wagner’s career strikeout record for a a left-handed relief pitcher in MLB history.

Chapman was one of three left-handed relievers on the Pirates’ end-of-season roster to hit free agency along with Jalen Beeks and Ryan Borucki. The only left-handed bullpen option currently on the 40-man roster is Joey Wentz, who allowed two runs in 12 innings across eight appearances after the Pirates claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Sep. 3.

The Pirates are on the hunt for bullpen upgrades this offseason and a left-handed pitcher in particular is a big need to replace Aroldis Chapman and the others.