TODAY: The Sox officially announced Chapman’s extension. The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier also has the salary breakdown, starting with a $1MM signing bonus for the closer. Chapman will earn $12MM in 2026, and the 2027 mutual option is for $13MM with a $300K buyout. If Chapman pitches at least 40 innings in 2026 and he passes a post-season physical, he’ll lock in a $13MM salary for 2027.
AUGUST 30: The Red Sox have agreed to an extension with left-hander Aroldis Chapman that will keep the star reliever in town for the 2026 season, according to a report from Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. Romero adds that the deal includes an option for the 2027 season, which Chris Cotillo of MassLive adds is a vesting/mutual option. Cotillo goes on to report that Chapman is guaranteed $13.3MM by the deal, and that if the Wasserman client throws enough innings to vest his 2027 option he’ll earn $26MM over two seasons.
It’s not often that a player gets a raise headed into his age-38 season, but the fact that Chapman’s salary will jump by roughly $3.5MM headed into 2026 is a testament to the sensational season the veteran closer has had during his first year in Boston. Signed to a one-year, $10.75MM guarantee last November, the eight-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion has turned back the clock to produce what is arguably the best season of his entire career and undoubtedly his most impressive performance in nearly a decade.
In 57 games for the Red Sox this year, Chapman has pitched to an otherworldly 1.04 ERA while striking out 38.7% of his opponents. That’s the lowest ERA in the majors among qualified relievers, and only Mason Miller has struck out batters at a higher clip this year. Chapman’s 2.02 SIERA, 1.83 FIP, and 2.2 fWAR are all also MLB-best totals. If the newly-unveiled Relief Pitcher of the Year award was in play for the 2025 season, Chapman would be a slam dunk to win it in the American League. As it stands, he’ll have to settle for closing out big games for what is extremely likely to be a playoff-bound Boston club down the stretch and into the postseason.
Early in Chapman’s career, it was hardly uncommon for his name to be in the conversation for the best relief arm in baseball at any given moment. The lefty made his big league debut back in 2010 as a member of the Reds and, over his first seven seasons in the majors, pitched to a dazzling 2.08 ERA with an even better 1.88 FIP and struck out 42.6% of his opponents faced. That includes a run of four consecutive All-Star appearances with Cincinnati from 2012-15 and a dominant 2016 season where he pitched to a 1.55 ERA with the Yankees and Cubs before throwing 15 2/3 innings for Chicago in the postseason en route to the first World Series championship of his career.
Upon returning to the Yankees in 2016, however, the then-29-year-old Chapman didn’t look quite as dominant. As he’s moved into his thirties, his numbers have remained strong overall but not quite reached the level he enjoyed in the first few seasons of his career. Across eight seasons from 2017 to 2024, Chapman pitched to a 3.17 ERA with a 2.94 FIP, struck out 37.7% of his opponents, and saw his walk rate creep up from 11.6% to 13.6%. After spending parts of seven years with the Yankees, Chapman bounced between the Rangers, Royals, and Pirates before returning to the AL East as a member of the Red Sox this year. Now that Chapman’s posting results in line with those he put up during his peak, his stretch of bouncing between teams every year and facing uncertainty every offseason has come to an end.
Impressive as Chapman’s 2025 campaign has been, it would hardly be reasonable for the Red Sox to assume this is what they’ll get from the lefty going forward. There’s plenty of year-to-year volatility for even the most elite relievers still in their prime, and that rings true all the more for a hurler with a middling 3.68 ERA over his last three seasons prior to this year who is now looking ahead to his age-38 season. Chapman’s age is surely why his extension is limited to just one guaranteed season. After all, even Kirby Yates’s dominant 2024 season with the Rangers wasn’t able to secure him more than a one-year guarantee from the Dodgers, while David Robertson had to wait until mid-season in order to land what he viewed as appropriate value for his services.
That aforementioned deal between Yates and Los Angeles is a particularly noteworthy comp for Chapman’s deal with the Red Sox, given that Chapman’s $13.3MM guarantee clocks in just $300K ahead of the guaranteed salary Yates is receiving from L.A. this year. While the agreement clocks in $2.7MM back of the $16MM guarantee the Phillies afforded Robertson last month, it must be noted that the deal between Robertson and Philadelphia comes with a notable asterisk: Robertson will only be paid a pro-rated portion of that deal from his signing in late July until the end of the season, which works out to just over $6MM he’ll actually be paid by the Phillies.
All of that is to say Chapman’s deal falls more or less in line with expectations for an aging closer coming off a dominant season. The specific innings threshold Chapman has to meet in order to vest his 2027 option is not known, and where that threshold ultimately falls will determine how realistic that option vesting truly is. A threshold of 50 innings, for example, would be very easy for Chapman to reach given that he’s cleared that benchmark in every full season of his career except for 2022. A 60-inning threshold would be a much taller order, as while Chapman’s 52 innings of work to date suggest he’ll have a real chance to cross that benchmark for the second consecutive season this year, his 2024 season was the first time he threw that many innings in the regular season since 2015.
Regardless of whether Chapman is sticking around for 2027 or not, his continued presence in the late-inning mix for 2026 should be huge for the Red Sox. Chapman can continue to serve as a veteran presence in a bullpen that figures to be quite young next year, with arms like Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten pairing with Chapman in the late-inning mix. One other potential x-factor is Jordan Hicks, who has at times been a dominant closer over the years but has struggled badly this year after opening the season in the San Francisco rotation. Perhaps the Red Sox hoped he could step into the closer role in 2026 when they acquired him as part of the return for Rafael Devers back in June, but Hicks has continued to struggle badly since joining the Red Sox and seems more likely to fight to hold onto his roster spot next spring than for a late-inning role. Bringing Chapman back into the fold should help lessen the club’s reliance on Hicks to bounce back, and if he does turn things around he’d form a lethal back-of-the-bullpen duo with the veteran lefty.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner — Imagn Images
I like this idea. Now let’s see the money. He’s comfortable here so that works
Wonderful!!!!!!
Gots him on da cheaps me thinks!
The Missile!!
Is that what he was shooting off in his garage while physically abusing his gf/wife?
It was a gun and according to reports,there was no physical contact.
He admitted he got physical with her
Nice… next 1B Pete Alonso 3/75
I’d love to see Schwarber back in a Red Sox uniform next year! He absolutely takes in Fenway and if he keeps hitting like he does, he could have 180+ RBI’s in this lineup!
***Rakes! (Not takes)
You can’t figure out that that’s auto correct in action?
Glad Sox management saw an opportunity that fit their MO as well as their needs in that it’s short-term. As for Schwarber, he’s got to stay in Philadelphia. Who sees him moving?
2021 schwarber was something else man
He and Chapman reunited for another ring?
Pop – Due to Cora’s management style, they really don’t want a full-time DH.
I pushed hard for the Sox to extend him in 2021 … the Bloom suckups insisted he had no value because of his lack of defense and injury history.
Time always tells.
You find a way to add a player like Schwarber. Great team guy, great fit, still have to hit for a pitcher, and feasible at 1B if needed in a pinch. Can also head out to LF if needed in a really desperate situation (although this team is stacked with capable OF depth).
High OBP guy, and RBI machine (especially with the guys that can get on at the top of this lineup).
Imagine if they add Alonso and Schwarber, and sign one legit starting pitcher this off-season.
Send Yoshida packing, even if you have to pay to make him go away.
This would very quickly become the most dominant offense in baseball.
I don’t know a single little league park that seats 38,000 people.
Just realized from your comments that you are just a troll. Sorry, I don’t understand the mentality of people that come on the comments section for a team they clearly dislike to just be obnoxious. If that is what gives you joy in life, have fun.
It’s going to take twice as much.
More like 4 years / $100+ million. Besides, Roman Anthony should be entrenched at 1B by the time ST rolls around in February.
Why would they move roman to 1b? He’s above average outfielder
He is not better than Duran, Rafaela or Abreu, who are all potential GG OFs. Move Anthony to 1B, and instead of spending $ to sign a FA first baseman or trading prospects, use it on getting a legit #2 SP. The Sox can keep Yoshida at DH vs. RHPs and Gonzalez/Refsnyder vs. LHPs.
Trade Duran. You need a masher in the outfield and you could say Abrue is one but 20 home runs is not mashing it. 35 is.
I’ve been a major vocal proponent of trading Duran now. Trade him while he’s hot. In two years he’s going to want to get paid by that point he slowed down and his speed is his game. He hits 250 and has 15 home runs and steals some bases. So what. Anthony should play left.
If you don’t trade him then you have to pay him on the downside of age 31 3233 for a speed dominant player. It will not work out. Trade him now !!
They should’ve traded him at the deadline these knuckleheads. This winter I don’t think you’ll get as much unless there’s very few centerfielders available. Then maybe. He is a “must trade now” candidate if I’ve ever seen one.
Anthony has graded as elite in RF.. please don’t ever put Duran in the same sentence has him ever again..
You are assuming they dont trade duran or abreau for a front line starter in the winter
That would be great. That would be close enough to trading him now. Most Sox fans I think I want to keep Duran.
123redsox, but Wilyer Abrue has gold gloved right field? Do you move him to left or trade 26 year-old Hebrew who hits 25 home runs as opposed to trading Duran and put Anthony in right?
Abrue, sorry. I clicked refresh before proofreading lol.
123… Check Baseball Savant’s defensive metrics and get back to us. Anthony is 6 outs above average with a below average value in arm strength. Have you watched Duran play left field since last year? He is much improved.
I wouldn’t be surprised seeing them move on from Yoshida and casas. And Refsnyer is up for renewal. Conner Wong hasn’t had a strong enough season to keep that number 12. The other number #12 hasn’t caught since before Covid but knows the league like a catcher. Every pitcher and every hitter. And that guy is handy for a young team to have around.
GaryRedSoxxWarriors
If you don’t trade him then you have to pay him on the downside of age 31 3233
======================
You’d have him under arbitration thru age 32. And we can offer him a QO after that. IMVHO, if we need to trade a player, it should be Abreu.
And keep in mind that keeping Yoshida is no sure thing. I was okay giving him a shot at DH, but he needs to improve. At this point, he wouldn’t be on the post-season roster, assuming we make it.
I wouldnt perma move roman to 1st now, but it would be good for him to learn the position. he has the size and talent. as he ages i could see him switching to 1st, so might as well learn now. it is always nice to have players that can play more than 1 position.
RSN@SoCal – Duran is -3 OAA in 1158 innings this year playing mostly LF; Roman has 6 OAA in 429 innings playing mostly RF (at that rate he would be 17 OAA over a full season and would put him on pace with Ceddanne). The two are not comparable defensively, and moving Roman to 1B would be a MASSIVE waste of his ability.
They won’t that’s just ridiculous talk he will anchor one of the outfield positions for the entirety of his contract.
He isn’t taking a pay cut to play in Boston.
Anthony already took a pay cut to play in Boston. He’s here for his career and will become the face of the franchise.
IMO, Alonso is overrated, but he’d be a heck of a good fit.
Future HOF for the Cuban Missile.
Good for him.Still a fine pitcher.
Helluva career
Run it back in ‘26 with Whit and Chappy on the back end!
Nice keep, Boston!
nice deal for sox
chapman rly reinvented himself in boston
2022-24: 3.68 era, 1.33 whip
2025 1.04 era, 0.67 whip
booked himself a 1 way ticket to the HOF
Sad that a scumbag wife beater is still in the league. Says a lot about the teams that have signed him over the years and the league that he is still around making millions.
Guess he can’t be forgiven?
But Roberto Osuna is exiled. What was the difference in what they did? Legit question, not trying to be mean.
Couple of mph on the fastball.
Trevor Bauer probably has some questions…
Timing sometimes is everything…
And chappy’s left handed, I guess.
I don’t know what Osuna did, but according to what I read, all Chapman did was to fire a couple of rounds into the wall of his garage. That’s dangerous and a form of abuse. But I get tired of posters prending he beat her up.
Osuna had some elbow pain during his last appearance with Houston. No team would touch that with that baggage attached. At least while pitching and pitching well many can look beyond off field issues. But I can’t imagine signing him, getting all the flack for it and then him going on the IL for the DV.
In FL, shooting holes in your garage wall is not illegal. MLB called it emotional abuse or something like that. I’ve read reports that his GF was not even in the house at the time. The extent of the physical abuse was him putting his hand near her neck as she approached him. The reports are all pretty sketchy, as the prosecution concluded they did not have enough evidence/testimony to move the case forward. I’ve also read that Chapman did not appeal the suspension as part of a deal so that MLB would not pursue a longer suspension. Look… when this happened, he was playing for the Yankees. As a Sox fan, I was hoping he would go to jail for a parking ticket.
RedSoxNation@SoCal
In FL, shooting holes in your garage wall is not illegal. MLB called it emotional abuse
=========================
I agree on that. Any use of a gun in an argument is a problem. But that’s not close to physical abuse. I wish people could create hierarchies.
“Those people” ?
You’ve really crossed the line a couple times here in the last 15 minutes. Everything OK coop? Rough day at the orifice ?
Where is the thumbs down option?
Mr. perfect here throwing darts at every person that’s made huge mistakes in life.
Can you imagine that some people have turned their lives around? Can you believe that in times of tremendous error and gross misjudgment that men have come out of the lonely dungeons after such sad events?
What’s sad is that some people want Chapman to wear a wife beater hat the rest of his life. Never take it off and branded forever.
What’s “sad” is that you’ve never talked to him about it and heard his heart or his attitude over his horrendous actions.
You make quick judgment and that’s it. No discussion at all.
I sure hope you don’t have kids because there’s going to be some dark days ahead for them if this is your attitude.
Sorry Gary but someone beating their wife is despicable and rightfully should follow that person around.
to your other point I highly doubt you’ve had a personal conversations with Chapman about what he did either.
And I certainly hope that if anyone has kids, yourself included, they should teach them that beating a spouse is a horrible and disgusting act that has lifelong consquences.
I will defend a repentant person all day long and twice on Sunday.
I admit that I err on the side of forgiveness, but that’s because of my background. I’ve made massive detrimental errors before age 25, some of which were never brought to justice. So I’ll give you that. Maybe I’m too forgiving?
Second point is it’s not on me to have a conversation with Chapman. I’m submitting that it’s on the original poster alone.
if you’re saying you’re defending a “Repented person” then that person actually has to show said regret and repent. like you said to the original posters since you haven’t had that conversation with Chapman or anyone else you really shouldn’t be making a full throated defense of them.
acell, did this incident go through the necessary process?
If so, it’s done.
Do you want him to wear a cap that says **** ***** then you go ahead. I’m saying my opinion is that it’s not the right thing to do.
According to you and the other fellow, perhaps people need to spend their entire life in prison as punishment for committing certain crimes?
He’s probably regretted it a million times-I regret many things I had to do in war- why are you so uptight about it?
Good post
I agree that there is no excuse for domestic abuse and can’t imagine that anyone would defend spousal violence.
There were many questions about what actually happened when it comes to Chapman and the incident that took place about 10 years ago. I tried to find details when they signed him just to see if he is someone I would want on the team.
The charges were dismissed because the claims did not match the evidence as there were no visual signs of injury and the witnesses had differing stories. The couple stayed together for 10 years after it happened so I assume she forgave him and they were able to work through it.
I believe they recently divorced, but are coparenting their child and it is amicable. There is nothing definitive about what took place and there was even something about her tackling him because of what she found on his phone. This is all strictly based on what I could find online, so you never know how much is accurate. I am also not saying he did not do anything wrong as he admitted to shooting off his gun into the garage wall so something clearly happened that should not have.
I don’t want to pass judgment without knowing what really happened. Chapman has been a great pitcher for the Sox and hopefully they did their homework when it came to evaluating his character before signing him.
Its a Red Sox fans take, everyone has some type of problem till they join your favorite team. Then all is forgiven.
Had things happened today with film like Rice in the NFL and he would not have been given another opportunity.
Sometimes when a player joins your team, its the first time you really LOOK into a situation like this
You don’t even know if any what you are saying is true .he was never charged snd vehemently denied the allegations.
your operating in extremes like the first poster Gary. But there are certain things and crimes people do that warrant them carrying that around with them the rest of their lives. choking or beating your spouse is one of them.
acell10
It is people like you that are an actual danger to society because you tell lies.
There are no facts at all that Chapman “beat his wife”.
Factually she wasn’t even at home when he fired off some rounds into his garage wall and she was an unreliable witness in the matter and changed her story.
His girlfriend alleged that he choked her and he fired 8 gunshots in his home. The police later found that there was no evidence that he choked her and that her story was too inconsistent to press charges. He was, however, charged for domestic violence for firing the gunshots and the psychological damage this caused. So many clowns on this board, all are without sin and have never done anything wrong in their lives.
No McGriff, people like you are the problem and the danger because you don’t know how to read. I said allegedly in my post. Also about a third of what you said was what was reported.
I don’t completely disagree. When it happened I did not take the time to read about it and just considered him a bad guy because he was with the Yankees who were the team I considered our enemy (not that there were not players on their team I did not have respect for as they had some of the greatest players over the decades).
Now after reading up on it and knowing that there was no visible injury and they got married after the incident I don’t know what really happened. Without a definitive answer I am just going to focus on his talent as a closer.
Joe-I hope you are not referring to me. I just tried to provide what information I had found online. I did not make anything up nor did I say he had done nothing wrong. Shooting his gun in the garage was not acceptable behavior, but that does not prove that he physically abused his future wife.
Mine was a generic comment. Folks need to differentiate between that FB guy that knocked out his wife on the elevator, or someone that chokes his wife, or someone that pushes their spouse, or someone that stupidly vents by firing off shots in his garage.
In the real world, that’s four different charges.
acell10
You most certainly have a difficulty with English, writing, reading and comprehension.
Naw McGriff I’m good. Clearly you can’t do any of those things otherwise you wouldn’t have spouted off like you did. I get that you have difficulty reading words with more than 3 syllables so so these conversations are above you.
“acell10
12 hours ago
Naw McGriff I’m good. Clearly you can’t do any of those things otherwise you wouldn’t have spouted off like you did. I get that you have difficulty reading words with more than 3 syllables so so these conversations are above you.”
“So so these conversations”….
The prosecution rests.
Have a nice day.
it’s called a typo. I write on my phone. Happens from time to time. It’s a word shorter than seven letters so even you should be able to understand what that means. If not, I’d suggest you google it but that’s beyond the scope of your abilities.
Very weak try though.
Acell10
Nice try schmuck. There’s no need for me to google anything, that is where you go for your information, including telling your stories on this site and talking about others, because you’ve got nothing better to do.
Have a nice day, and I do agree, it’s very weak making up things about people you don’t know or have never met personally, but that is who you are, a weak person.
You wouldn’t know a damned thing about Chapman. Have a good cry.
I left this convo a while ago but after 12 hours you felt like jumping back in. you’re spiraling McGriff. Put the key board down and give yourself a break and learn not to take things so personally. Wipe your tears, cool your rage and realize It’s just the internet
Being a wife beater isnt a mistake it’s a flawed character. A mistake is a car accident, not beating a woman up. I’ll guarantee you his wife will never forget the beating. Stop defending the indefensible, you sound like a wife beater when you do
Wilted-Just for fun, post some reliable journalism saying that he beat her. I’ve never seen it.
Red Sox fans will defend literally anything their players do, it’s despicable
that behavior is hardly unique to red sox fans and it’s certainly not all red sox fans that are doing that.
The discussion was whether or not he did actually physically abuse his wife. That is a big question mark based on the evidence. If he did actually choke her, I would not defend that.
It’s cool that he beats his wife, but not Uriás? Seems like a double standard. Or am I missing something?
No, it’s not cool. Wake up.
You read my comment wrong, it’s not cool. I’m asking why is it that he gets paid and Uriás is blackballed. I think they both should be out of the game!
I don’t know the details of either case. Is it that I’m wrong to trust the system and how it played out?
It’s possible there’s a double standard because there is in many things in life let’s face it. Sorry I’m not privy to the Urias case.., I really don’t follow things like that but I’ve learned what’s happened with Chapman and it seems like he’s free to play ball so let’s leave it at that. That’s all I’m saying.
Is there a double standard? Maybe so? I don’t know.
You have a lot to say for not knowing anything about what you are commenting on.
One guy is playing and one guy isn’t. That’s enough. We should not continually vilify the player who’s been allowed to play. Get it?
I actually believe it was a shouting fight where he fired a gun off. Not directed at anyone. I don’t think he ever actually touched her and she dropped the charges. I could be wrong. He’s still a weirdo though.
He wasn’t charged with any crime.
Chapman was suspended for 30 games for allegedly choking his girlfriend and firing a gun off in his house. Just because someone wasn’t charged with a crime doesn’t mean they didn’t do something horrible.
acell, no one here is saying he didn’t do something horrible. He DID do something horrible.
He lost his cool and made a crucial life-changing error.
I’m sad that he did that- I always walked away rather than argue or fight-I think he learned his lesson
I wrote:”He wasn’t charged with any crime”‘ as a factual statement.
Are you responding to the wrong person? Cuz what you wrote has nothing to do with what I wrote.
No he wasn’t..he wasn’t suspended for discharging the fire arm..not that he didn’t do the other part but the chocking etc wasn’t ever proven
and I am factually saying that just because someone wasn’t charged with a crime doesn’t mean that they didn’t do something horrible. What you wrote comes across as dismissive. Maybe that wasn’t your intent but it is often the claim people make when trying to defend someone’s crappy behavior.
Gary what you’re saying comes across as defending what he did. I’m all for forgiveness but as someone else said hitting your wife/girlfriend, choking her, firing off a gun 8 times during an argument speak to a character flaw.
@acell In this country we are innocent til proven guilty. Who are any of us to judge if he has not been judged by a jury of his peers.
tigers: again just because someone wasn’t charged with a crime doesn’t mean they didn’t something criminal. Also what you’re saying sounds like you want to excuse any form of bad behavior.
That’s a joke, right?
Ok buddy.
no problem pal.
Acell- I don’t agree with the poster that commented on you being dangerous, because you have every right to your opinion. We know that Chapman shot his gun in the garage, which is concerning behavior, but there is no evidence that he physically abused his girlfriend.
That doesn’t mean he didn’t, but I don’t think it is any more fair to say he was definitely involved in physically abusing his girlfriend than to say he did nothing wrong. You would think an athlete his size would have left a visible injury on her if he did choke her, but I can’t say he didn’t because I was not there and I assume you were not either.
@acell Nor does it mean they are guilty. Hiw about we just start referring to you as a wife beater as you have never been found innocent of such?
Do you know what “innocent til proven guilty” means???
And Im jot excusing anything, but who am I to decide someone is guilty without all the facts?
A cell-we have to credence and weight to the police report. They’ve all seen DV incidences. They are 3rd party arbiters of what happened. That happened to one of my friends. He and his wife passed each other in the hallway and bumped into each other. She said he shoved her. Both kids said nothing happened. We can’t live in a world where a man is ALWAYS considered guilty, even with no evidence.
No. There has to be evidence. We can’t put people in jail for five years simply because their neighbor says he punched him, but with -0- evidence. That’s completely out of the question.
Cooper- So you were there and saw it happen.
I came to the comments for this!
Thanks jnorthey
So there has to be some laughable humor in all this. Can we move beyond Alex Bregman’s involvement in the Astros cheating scandal? Nope. The guy can burn in hell. A pitcher beating his wife? Come one guys, let’s forgive him. The contrast on this is absolutely insane.
But having read the controversy, charges were pressed because of inconsistencies in the plaintiffs story. MLB still took disciplinary measures. Ive always felt a little unsure of MLB taking measures that law enforcement deemed insufficient.
Who thinks Bregman should “burn in Hell’ bro.
Histrionic much?
Thats a bit strong
He never hit his wife. He fired off his gun intgevgarage, which is bad, but he never hit her.
So, he had such little control over his emotions that he fired a gun in his home to intimidate a woman, but there’s no way he escalated to violence against her… Give me a break. It’s just like Tyreek Hill. Talent has afforded scumbags opportunity.
You realized he was never charged with anything and vehemently denies those allegations due to inconsistencies in the stories..he was suspended by mlb for discharging his gun…not anything to do with putting hands on his girlfriend
And Cashman says whaat?
Cashman says, “You guys just wait and see Volpe next year; he’s gonna be elite!”
Remember when Volpe was like a top ten prospect in baseball? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Even as RS fan, I loved Volpe’s resume.
Wow, he likely left money on the table
Probably but how much do you give a guy who’s 38? Teams might think This season could be an outlier but it’s really win-win. He likes it here and he’s doing well. Players realize fit means a lot and that’s likely what’s going on in this case.
I thought he could get 20 plus for 1 year easy
Nah-age hurts
I’d say the $13M is a little light and the mutual ’27 option is meaningless but Chapman’s age does create a bit of uncertainty in the free agent market.
I’m guessing that wondering where you will play each year takes a toll on the family, and not having to move again has value.
I bet he likes it in Boston. He’s 38, FFS. He likes winning.
Soto – Yes I’m a fountain of knowledge. LOL!
“One of the first memories that I have coming here to Fenway Park in 2009, it was meeting David Ortiz and also [Daisuke] Matsuzaka,” Chapman said, “I also met Luis Tiant. He took me out to dinner when I was here. So those were my first memories in Boston.”
Chapman has been unreal.
A lot of people dump all over Breslow, which is understandable in a sense, he has made some mistakes.
But those same people seem to forget he brought in Chapman, Crochet, and Bregman.
Without those guys, it’s an 80-win team.
So you’re saying they’ll win over 85 games as opposed to 80 cuz of Chapman, Bregman, and Crochet?
That’s what I said.
My point is, getting Chapman, Bregman, and Crochet were excellent moves by Breslow.. I also made the point he’s made some mistakes.
Which part do you disagree with?
Alex Cora and his head-scratching bullpen moves and detrimental to player development lineups has cost the Red Sox at least 5 games. Adding those gets you to 90.
Getting more effective pitchers than Buehler and more recently May would also add multiple wins.
Granted the addition of Crochet, Chapman, and Bregman had a much more significant impact than the mediocre pitchers who have lost too many games. I guess it balances out.
80 games is generous. without those three it’s more like 70-75.
Valid.
Thanks, acell.
Maybe that’ll shut him up
I remember his last season is the Yankees
the Yankee fans really hated him
Kind of like they do with Volpe right now
Wasn’t he walking a ton of guys back then? Always been his thing in the playoffs as well if I remember correctly.
I hope that doesn’t come back to haunt us this year if the Red Sox do make the playoffs.
He’s the one that got us here?
Career playoff ERA 2.37 with a 1.14 WHIP. 68 Ks in 49 innings.
If that’s “haunting us” I’ll take it.
You stat guys have me eating crow all the time. My memory usually pinpoints certain events rather than overall performance.
I appreciate the correction. Go Sox !!
Gary – They will. Royals and Cleveland ain’t catching them, unless there’s a significant injury.
I’m taking nothing for granted and worded that specifically to not be overly confident and seem arrogant.
FPG
Needed that win yesterday.
I’m starting to think this is just a lost season for Yoshida. 8 extra basehits in 116 pa’s .He is showing no pop at all. A DH with no pop is no good.
Cdc – I sadly agree. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters, but it sure seems like I was wrong about him being a good hitter when healthy.
GRxW
Chapmans walk rate is down significantly this season . He is walking batters at less than half the time he was for the past 6 seasons. He has been incredible.
@CaptainMike – Yankee fans ended up hating him because he QUIT on his teammates. Coming off an injury, he didn’t want to throw for the club to see if he was healthy/effective enough for the playoff roster.
And remember he injured his leg from a bad tattoo and then he didn’t show up for a practice and pissed off Boone. But the self-inflicted tattoo injury was wild.
Nando – No different than certain Sox “fans” hating on Kenley for a similar reason.
@Fever – Wasn’t aware of Kenley. He had some heart issues in high altitude no?
Nando – Yes, which is why he didn’t pitch in Coors.
The controversy is he left the team about a week before the season ended.
FPG
This kid Parker Messick is off to a fine start to his career. Tough lefty
With Bello, crochet,and I assume Tolle going Wednesday, I’m thinking sweep..if we can get some hitting going..
Cdc – My man Duran hit a inside the park homerun yesterday! They shouldn’t trade him.
FPG
Watching him run is one of the great pleasures in baseball. I put it up there with watching Pete Rose sliding headfirst into 3rdbase . Just dynamic! Awesome… I don’t want him traded. He is a difference maker. Not many like him in all of MLB. I’ve said before, his running style is angry. It pumps up his teammates,the fans the whole stadium unlike anyone I can remember.
Tolle had to go on Wednesday , right????
cdc – Kinda ironic, Bello and Crochet didn’t pitch well but your prediction is looking quite good right now!
But Tolle isn’t starting tomorrow, Bernie is.
cdc – Loumer says that all the time, that Duran runs angry. LOL!
Duran is exactly what you want a leadoff guy to be, although this year his OBP needs to improve.
Like I said, Tolle isn’t starting tomorrow …. Bernie is.
Did you hear Roman got injured? Hopefully it’s not serious.
FPG
This injury to Roman really hurts…,;!!! He has been so good after the 1st couple weeks since his arrival. What has happened to our outfield depth… Cora may have to give Crochet an extra day or 2 off, giving up hrs to hitters batting under .200. he is already significantly over his career high in innings pitched . I would definitely consider skipping a start ,and put him on an innings limit until the playoffs. When is Abreu coming back??
cdc – Of course it hurts, Roman has been their best position player!
I’m hearing chatter that Abreu may not be back until the postseason, we shall see.
Yes extra days off and skipping starts is the smart thing to do. They’ve got a 6-game lead on the Rangers and Royals, no chance the Sox miss the postseason. This is not 2011.
FPG
The bottom of the order had been pathetic before yesterdays contest. With 5 hits between Rafaela and Yoshida, maybe it’s a sign that they are ready to make an offensive contribution that we will surely need. Sofar it’s been a lost year for Yoshida. Will he be in there against this lefty tonight? Would you rather have Eaton in there? I have a feeling we are going to have to score some runs tonight..
cdc – I dunno about signs. Even the worst hitters in MLB get on average one hit every five AB, usually against crappy pitchers.
I know you love the guy, but Bregman’s prolonged slump is what I’m more concerned about. While nobody expected him to continue producing like he did prior to the injury, .103 BA with a .299 OPS is astonishingly bad!!!
It will be Eaton, not Yoshida.
FPG
Bregman definitely is a concern.. I’m looking for some good signs anywhere….. Our outlook on Yoshida can turn around if he can get hot going forward.
Your boy Devers has been going good for a while now. I did see him make a great scoop at 1st on a low throw also. Showed alot of emotion last night pimping his hr. Big beef.
cdc – I’ve been good about not mentioning Raffy, but since you did ….. yesterday he hit his 30th homerun, played first base and played third base …. all in the same game! He had a career-high for homers in a month too. Over his last 30 games he has a 1.022 OPS!!! Over his last 15 games he’s batting .315 with a 1.163 OPS!!! Over his last 7 games he’s batting .464 with a 1.616 OPS!!!!
Ah well, it’s in the past though.
Question for you …. let’s say Breggy Beer Man finishes with an OPS under .800 …. do you still give him the $200M he likely will want? Be honest.
FPG
My last thought on Devers ( I hope)
He did not get traded because he couldn’t hit, he got traded for not being a team player for refusing to learn 1stbase when his team desperately needed him to
Bregman ,he did not get $200 million last year and if he sinks to that level this year,along with his injury…No. . If he slumps the rest of the year , including playoffs,he probably doesn’t opt out. Let’s hope he gets hot and flourishes in the postseason and we will deal with those circumstances.
cdc – I totally agree with what you wrote about Bregman. If he continues to slump the remainder of the season, he will probably not opt out. And I’m fine with that, I really don’t care if the Sox have to overpay him one more year.
I don’t think he’s injured though, the other day when he legged out that infield hit he said that’s the fastest he’s run since the injury. I think he’s simply reverted back to what he was last year.
This is a very level headed move-now if only they could beat the pirates
Tar – Their biggest problem has been the hitting. Guys like Rafaela and Bregman need to start earning their salary. And they need Abreu back.
Who else is excited about another big leftie? Tolle is the real deal!
Did you see his stuff? If not, have you read a scouting report?
That’s kind of the point, not the one game.
And you will.
Let’s just go ahead and release Dustin May along with Walker Buehler, as well. I hate the Dodgers. With the Mookie Betts trade and now these two clowns, they are killing the Red Sox. Watch Tibbs III will become an All-Star.
We need SOMEONE to eat innings
I was really hoping this would happen. He has been sensational and we are not going to find someone who can handle the pressure of pitching for the Sox better than he has in the closer’s role. He has proven that age is just a number. Really hoping that his success continues for the next few years with the Sox.
Uncle – I totally agree! This is the type of gamble worth taking, rather than blowing money on a guy recovering from TJS who has had a 5-6 ERA.
He actually looks like he is in the best shape of his life and pitching like it.
Johns – I don’t think conditioning has ever been an issue with him.
Here’s a thought and let me know if you agree or not.
This Chapman signing indicates a willingness to go for it next year? Spending this kind of money on a closer would indicate that.
So does it mean we can expect one more front line starting pitcher and a big bopper at first base?
My uneducated guess is that yes, I think at least those two moves are in the cards
You would certainly think that if they are going to put that kind of money into a closer of that age they are in it to win it in the near future. My hope is they add the missing pieces over the summer to take them to the next level. I mean anything could happen this year, but with these last few losses to the Pirates they don’t exactly look like they are ready to win the World Series, but who knows.
They need to extend Bregman and bring in one more frontline starter (Joe Ryan, Shane Bieber). I still think Casas can be an excellent 1B if he can just get and stay healthy, and I don’t think the Sox are ready to give up on him yet.
Maybe Casas’s fragility comes from painting his nails? I think as soon as he demonstrates he is healthy, they will trade him. He seems like the second coming of Bobby Dalbec.
Gary – You are 100% correct. Red Sox said a long time ago they would begin trying to win in 2026 after Roman and the other kids are settled in and established.
Makes sense, doesn’t it? Window is fully open next year.
FPG
I’m not giving up on this year yet. Stranger things have happened. Am I super confident….. No. But you never know. Though with a couple of good moves the Sox will be a favorite for next season. I think if we get a couple good bounces this could be a memorable season.
cdc – Nobody is saying to give up, not me anyway. But obviously they didn’t believe in this year’s team enough to pick up real additions at the trade deadline.
I totally agree, anything can happen. That’s one of the things I love about baseball.
FPG has never posted any quotes to back up his claim that Red Sox ownership said they would begin trying to win in 2026. It would be big news if they ever said that. They are clearly trying to win this year. Bringing up Payton Tolle on August 29th so he is eligible for the playoffs makes it obvious.
Everyone on here complains about FPG. Hit the “Mute” button. You’ll sleep better!
The Red Sox ALWAYS try to win. But much like the real world, sometimes they are better ta it, and sometimes they are worse at it.
If you were going to try to keep him, the Red Sox made the right choice to make it happen before free agency. However, there is a lot of faith being given he’ll be able to pitch next season. I mean, we still have a month left and potentially playoffs. Relievers, especially older, high velo studs like Chapman, are always pushing themselves. Now that Chapman has security. I really hope it doesn’t go like how Yates ’25 went.
Cleveland – All I’ve got to say is this:
Koji
2013
Age 38
FPG
Possibly the 2 most dominant closer seasons in Sox history,authored by physically the 2 most opposite players. Hopefully Chapman will bring it in the postseason like Koji did. ( 1 HR )..
Koji was amazing. Didn’t he have a whip below 0.70 ? One of the greatest performances in that category of all time?
GRW
IMO.. The greatest relief (closer) season in Sox history. The man did not give you anything to worry about. whip 0.565. I was shocked when he gave up the HR early in the playoffs,but that was it . He was lights out!!!!. W.S. whip of 0.429.
Unreal
I figure good, but not great, RPs like Jansen and Estevez get $10M+. I’ll take my chances with Chapman.
Man seeing some people in these comments just ignoring the domestic violence stuff is very concerning, but hey that’s just America nowadays.
I get second chances and all, but my dude made some really horrible decisions and had little to no consequences.
If we condemned everyone for every horrible thing they’ve ever done we would never be able to enjoy anything.
I’m not trying to downplay what he allegedly did (no chargers were filed as police could not find sufficient evidence) but he served his punishment and life goes on. Why dwell on something that happened a decade ago that has no bearing on anything today?
Rsox – I totally agree, but there’s a Hella lot of hypocrisy with certain Sox “fans” here and on the remnants of other Sox “fan” sites.
They trashed him for the DV when he was with the Yanks.
They ragged on him for the DV when he signed with the Sox.
But now, only because he’s been awesome, they support him.
To quote the title of a certain book, winning fixes everything.
Unfortunately, that is the reality of things. I would be more concerned about how he quit on the Yankees as they approached the playoffs. Much more recent.
FPG
We need Giolito to be real good today.. Bregman is 2 for his last 31 as well as 0 for his last 16. Gotta find some offense. Good teams don’t get swept by the Buccos in late August ,Yoshida 2 for 13 , with 2 singles, just 2 of the culprits. When is Abreu coming back??. Duran 1 extra basehit in his last 10 games.. we need some O
Cdc – Bregman, Duran and Yoshida have done really well against Keller.
But Kutch and B-Rey have done really well against Giolito.
I expect Sox pitching to continue to perform well.
To the Pirates I say “No sweep for you!!”
FPG
I assume that’s in limited plate appearances..
I remember saying to a buddy hopefully Mookie can be as good as Cutch…. Cutch was a great player for a few years… One of my favorites…
Obviously Mookie surpassed him…. I’ve always liked the Pirates. Clemente, Parker ,Oliver, Stargell,Zisk, Madlock,Blylevin,Candleria,Kison,Tekulve,Rooker. Loved when they came back from down 3-1 in the W.S. in 79 against Baltimore. Baltimore was good too , loaded with great players. But I digress..
CDC – It seems like we’ve lived parallel lives. I have often posted about the Pirates being my favorite NL team because of that 1979 WS team. Next year the Sox are going to Pitt for a weekend series, it’s one of my favorite parks.
Kutch only 3 AB’s but B-Rey 11 AB batting .364 with a Homer and 4 RBI … but he’s not in the lineup!
FPG
I went to a Pirates game in 3 Rivers Stadium. What a dump that was for baseball.. looked like they were playing on concrete.. it was a couple years after Bonds left and he was playing left for the Giants. I think we payed $4 for tickets in the third balcony ,we ended up a couple rows behind 3rdbase because there was no one there. Would love to get to there stadium they play in now ,it looks great. It’s a shame a franchise with such a rich history has not done right by that . Stennett 7 for 7
Because it speaks to his character? In what world is going into your garage and blindly fired a gun a good idea? Why would that even cross someone’s mind as something to do? What was the intent?
“Chapman’s girlfriend alleged that he choked her after an argument over some text messages on his phone. Chapman then went out to a detached garage on his property and fired eight shots from a handgun, one of which flew through a window and into an open field, according to police reports.”
What kind of logic is this? “If we condemned everyone for every horrible thing they’ve ever done we would never be able to enjoy anything.” There’s levels to this stuff man. This isn’t just “horrible” it’s downright disgusting.
Not all people commit domestic violence and then to off into their garage and fire a gun blindly. This isn’t your average run of the mill incident. Chapman used a gun to escalate a domestic violence situation. It’s crazy that you’re just like “oh give him a second chance” like he’s a teenager who stole a candy bar from the corner store.
A 30 game suspension is a joke for this incident. The NFL suspends players for longer, relative to the length of their season, and that punishment is a joke as well.
Why dwell on it? Because it speaks to who he really is, and it’s not someone that I want have on my favorite team, that I support.
Joemo your leaving out the part that his wife showed no physical signs on her neck of being chocked and her stories were inconsistent.
What Chapman did do and it’s indisputable was fire rounds from his garage into an empty field. That was very dangerous and stupid and should have required anger management. As for beating his wife never charged with that we will probably never know for sure but I’m confident if a big dude like Chapman put his hands around her throat in rage he would have left marks.
Chapman acknowledged to having a “fight” and both parties involved admitted it escalated to some sort of physical violence.
After the altercation, Chapman went into his garage and fired a gun multiple times, recklessly.
That’s not the kind of decision making that I support, sorry. That’s reckless, idiotic, and people could have been killed by his decision to reckless fire his weapon.
If it was “just” the DV incident with inconsistent stories then sure, if there’s no future incidents, then he’s probably fine. But the idiotic decision to involve the weapon elevates this to another level.
What if one of his stray shots killed someone? It didn’t, and we are lucky for that. There was no reason to put himself in that situation.
Joemo, everything you write here is correct. No doubt at all.
But come on man.., people can change. The light goes on and they realize they’re an idiot.
They get around different people than when they were young. Something. They get married, have a family, work somewhere different, whatever.
Yes, this is more than “horrible.” But what gets me is when you have guys doing horrible 2, 3, 4 times. Just slap them on the wrist because they are ball players is not right those cases. Incremental harsher punishment needs to be in order. But that’s another subject.
Man can change my friend. You see it in family, you see it at work, and you see with your friends. Guys turn the corner all the time.
Gary – Great post! Age is a huge factor as well, with age typically comes wisdom.
Why let it keep happening over and over again because in serious case alike this, people get a slap on a wrist instead of an actual punishment?
Next time Chapman may not just fire off rounds randomly, he could kill someone – intentionally or unintentionally.
Here’s a quote for him at the time:
“I want to take this opportunity — I want this to be clear — I’m apologizing because the use of the gun. It was bad judgment on my part. But I also want to say that I never hurt my girlfriend. I want this to be very clear. I’m taking this punishment because of my bad judgment. [It’s] something that I definitely want to put behind me and move on.”
Calling it “bad judgement” to use the gun is worrying. He didn’t say he shouldn’t have fired his gun off, he’s just giving a half hearted apology.
Did he take any gun safety courses, anger management, etc? Not that I could find. There’s ways to go about this kind of situation, to show you learned from it and are taking it seriously.
Joemo really ???
That’s his apology, but it’s not good enough for you. What he didn’t grovel enough?
My goodness. I’m done here. For one I’m done sticking up for a guy who made a big mistake and number two, I’m done with all the illogical inhumane tight vested, rigid condemnation of many posters here.
Good discussion, but I’m done with it.
Appreciate your input, have a good one!
Hey, it’s the long weekend. I’ll have two !!
Appreciate your input as well. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is no better than the next guy’s. Go Sox !!
1-Probably most married people have slammed down a plate, or punched a wall or yelled at their spouse. something.
2-And probably almost everyone in the world has done things they regret. I can only presume that some people in here have never driven with a few beers in them. Or added some numbers to their expense report, or forgot some income on their tax return, or any of the million things that people occasionally do.
39 Saves away from 400. Could very easily get that number in Boston next season. The backend of the bullpen looks set with Chapman/Whitlock/Slaten. Hicks and Bernardino should be around next season, though i wonder about Weissert.
The Sox are thin on Starting Pitching depth with Crochet and Bello the only starters penciled in right now. Giolito could move on, Houck, Dobbins, and possibly Fitts could all be out next season. Sandoval coming back should not be counted on, Tolle looks promising, Kutter Crawford should be back and Harrison should at least be in camp competing for a spot. This is where the Sox will need to spend money this winter, and maybe another if Bregman leaves
Judge and jury, Mr. Cooperhill? I’m pretty sure he would have been sent there if the prosecution had a case. They did not. Besides, he probably had a mental health meltdown based on all the time he spent in the Yankees clubhouse.
There’s lots of goodwill going right now. He’s been lights out and the team is playing well. The signing seems slightly reckless, but in all reality there isnt anyone in-house that’s shown they can handle closing. I guess one less thing to worry about in the season.
Both velocity and effectiveness was dropping yearly. Now he’s throwing 100+ again in his late 30s. What could he be doing?
Not getting new tattoos mid-season.
if he was juicing, they would have caught him already. these guys get tested like crazy these days. when you play this well they test you even more.
Typical reliever..blows hot one yr -the next cold.
I was begging for Stearns to sign Chapman in the offseason. People on here were calling me an idiot saying “he is no good anymore, Stanek and Reed Garret are better”. As usual, I was right again
Does the extension include bonuses if he doesn’t choke out women?
Enough with the stupid f’n women jokes. Get a life.
Go away idiot.
Solid move by Breslow to lock him up.
This was one free agent signing that cherrington got right. Also it was one free agent who cherrington let slip away.
You red Sox fans are so lucky that you don’t have cherrington as GM anymore. He’s as useless as an ashtray on a motorcycle
I don’t anticipate a 2026 season being anywhere near what Aroldis is doing this year, but they have nobody else and he’s been a good fit.
I don’t know how much further they can extend him – he’s already 6’4″.
He is going to be 6’7″ and his arm span is going to be a third longer. He was only 5’10” when he started in the majors.
One of the main reasons for Chapmans return to dominance is that he is limiting the amount of walks he’s giving up. He is issuing less than half the amount of walks this year, compared to his last 6 or so seasons. Yes, relief pitching is very inconsistent, and he will probably regress some. How could he not. This is a good signing br Breslow. IMO. Also this guy is a physical beast.
This guy has been so much fun to watch over the years. I hope he keeps going.
Man am I glad I became a Red Sox fan early 70’s … Lately it’s been all great, oh sure few last place finish’s here and there but life is good!!! My only “sky is falling take” article 10 days ago… Red Sox dominate Fenway again…. 4 in a row to Orioles and Pirates… in the words of Charlie Brown…… This SUXS!!!l. LOL!!!
Yep, no kidding. Late 70s were fantastic but wow much of the 80s and 90s were practically 20 years of burning my hat every August.
Then of course buying a new cap in spring training while anticipating a great year.
I put the lighter in a drawer, but I knew exactly which drawer it was in lol
Gary, my first Red Sox hat was the 75 (wool)classic!! I loved that hat!! I wore that thing so much that it turned blue from all the sweat/ stains.. a few years ago the family got me a new one of it… the only one I like more is the one that says 2018 World Series champion on the side… How bout we both update our wardrobes with a new one that says 2025 champions !!! 👍
I like it !!!!
look up “hat saver” on amazon. it’s a spray that prevents sweat stains. works extremely well.
Might be the Sox jumped the gun on this?
You think they should’ve waited until he became a free agent?
Actually, I do.
Chapman deserves to win this first BBWAA Reliever of the Year Award (The Mo Rivera Award). Not only does he deserve it for this year, but he deserves to be the first as a nod to his career of excellence. Hopefully he’ll be this good again next year, but the writers shouldn’t wait.
Sox brass did something right?!? Even a broken clock is right twice a day!
There is something about Boston that clicked w/ him that didn’t click in NYC. This is a good signing.
It’s the first time in his career someone told him to locate his pitches! x_x
I am still in total shock that this is the first season he’s tried locating his pitches. Excellent deal.
Connor Wong to the rescue !!!
So does this count as part of the Mookie Betts return?
hahaha if it counts, it’s the headliner 😭
“Impressive as Chapman’s 2025 campaign has been” is NOT PROPER ENGLISH. You can’t just leave “as” out to start the sentence—it isn’t optional. If you’re a paid writer, you can’t pick and choose when you use correct grammar.
👋………👨
….🐛💤👔🐛
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…………..⚡️..8=👊=D💦
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