Perrotto: Aroldis Chapman Waited for Call From Pirates

CLEVELAND – Aroldis Chapman waited for a phone call from the Pittsburgh Pirates last winter, but it never came.

The left-hander enjoyed his one season with the Pirates in 2024. However, that was his only season in Pittsburgh for one of the all-time best relief pitchers.

“I was interested in coming back,” Chapman told Pittsburgh Baseball Now on Sunday before his Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Guardians 13-3 at Progressive Field. “I guess they didn’t want me. It’s too bad, but I’m happy where I’m at now.”

Chapman became a free agent at the end of last season after his one-year, $10.5-million contract expired. The Red Sox signed him to an almost identical deal on Dec. 10 — one year and $10.75 million.

Chapman had a 5-5 record with 14 saves and a 3.79 ERA in 68 games while striking out 98 batters in 61.2 innings. While Chapman’s ERA was a bit on the high side, he ably filled the closer’s role when two-time All-Star David Bednar struggled.

Considering Bednar had a 5.77 ERA and seven blown save chances in 30 opportunities in 2024, it seemingly would have made sense to re-sign Chapman. Indeed, Bednar struggled at the outset of this season and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on March 31 before being recalled on April 19.

Bednar has made four one-inning scoreless appearances since returning to the Pirates and notched his first save on Friday night against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

While Bednar is regaining his form, it seemed odd that the Pirates did not re-sign Chapman, who has 339 career saves, or add someone else with closing experience. Other than Bednar, the relief pitcher on the opening day roster with the most career saves was Justin Lawrence with 14.

If nothing else, Chapman would be an upgrade over Colin Holderman as the primary set-up man. The 37-year-old is pitching as well as ever this season as he has a 2-1 record, four saves and a 2.62 ERA in 12 games to go with 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

Chapman still throws as hard as almost any pitcher in the major leagues. On Saturday, he threw a fastball that was clocked at 103.4 mph against the Guardians, and his heater is averaging 99.0 mph this season.

Chapman has also issued just four walks this year after averaging 6.0 per nine innings over the previous four seasons.

“The velo is eye-opening to me,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The strike throwing has been the highlight of the season for him so far. Just get him in the strike zone, and good things are going to happen, and he’s not walking too many. He’s striking out a lot, and obviously his stuff is amazing.”

One of the biggest impressions Chapman made on the Pirates last season was his work ethic. He always seemed the first player in the clubhouse before games, getting in a workout long before the first pitch was thrown.

Nothing has changed since he joined the Red Sox, and Cora believes hard work is why Chapman can still reach triple digits with his fastball despite pitching in his 16th big-league season.

“You work and the game will reward you,” Cora said. “That’s it. It’s as simple as that. That guy gets up in the morning, he goes to the gym, comes back, gets some rest, and then goes back to the gym when he gets to the ballpark. When he gets here, he’s lifting weights and running laps. He’s a great teammate, and it’s been good to have him for our kids, our Latin players, for everybody.”

The Pirates’ bullpen has been middling so far this season, its 3.65 ERA ranking 14th among the 30 MLB teams. They could use a dynamic reliever like Chapman.

Yet the Pirates never made a call.