Aroldis Chapman Is Red Sox Bound And Here

The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year deal with hard-throwing left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman in a move that further bolsters their bullpen, a source confirmed to the AP. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is set to earn $10.75 million in the upcoming season under terms of the pact.

Chapman, 35, agreed to the contract Friday but the team announced the move today after he passed a physical examination.

Chapman, who defected from Cuba in 2009, brings a blazing fastball that has consistently reached 100 miles per hour on the radar gun. While the velocity has dipped slightly in recent years, the lefty still possesses an impressive array of pitches, including a slider and changeup, to keep batters off balance.

The Red Sox were in need of additional firepower in the pen after enduring an inconsistent relief effort in their 2022 campaign, one marked by injuries and underperformance from some key contributors. Chapman, who has claimed a World Series ring in each of the last two years, figures to provide stability and play a significant role as a setup man or possible closer in Boston.

Chapman's storied big league career has seen him suit up for Cincinnati, the Cubs, New York Yankees, and Miami. He is an eight-time All-Star and holds a career record of 43-34, with 315 saves and a 2.28 earned run average spanning 785 innings pitched and 743 strikeouts.

The Red Sox move will pair Chapman with closer Kenley Jansen, the veteran right-hander who agreed to terms with Boston last month. That tandem gives the Red Sox arguably the most dominant duo in the league from the seventh inning on.