Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Part of unsettled closer battle
Rotowire
Chapman's spring struggles along with those of Liam Hendriks leave Boston's closer role unsettled, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.
Chapman has a 4.91 ERA with six walks through 3.2 spring innings, which is better than Hendriks, who has a 13.50 ERA and 11 hits allowed over four innings. Manager Alex Cora acknowledged both pitchers have been knocked around but is taking an optimistic view that both are "going to be OK." If neither Chapman nor Hendriks improve over the last two weeks of the Grapefruit League, then Justin Slaten, unaccustomed to the mental aspects of closing, might sneak in to take on the ninth-inning role.
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Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Walks two in spring debut
Rotowire
Chapman hit 101 mph in his spring training debut Wednesday, but he also walked two batters and only threw 11 strikes among his 23 pitches, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Chapman has slimmed down from 250 pounds to 230 pounds this spring.
The early velocity is nice, and Chapman being wild is nothing new no matter what time of the season (39 walks in 61.2 innings last season). Chapman, Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten are competing for the closer's job, with Garrett Whitlock available for multi-inning saves.
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Gets one-year deal with Boston
Rotowire
Chapman agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Control continues to be a major issue for Chapman, who issued 39 free passes over 61.2 innings with the Pirates in 2024. However, he also struck out 98 batters and, even though he will turn 37 years old in February, he still ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this past season. With Kenley Jansen expected to depart in free agency, Chapman will be a candidate to close in Boston, along with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten.
Chapman threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 9-4 win over the Yankees. He struck out one.
Jalen Beeks loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, forcing the Pirates to turn to their closer despite a big lead. Chapman needed only nine pitches (five strikes) to convert his eighth straight save chance, striking out Aaron Judge along the way with a 100.6 mph two-seamer. Even at 37 years old, Chapman can still pump heat over the plate, and his success during his late-season closing stint should re-assure prospective employers this winter as he heads back into free agency.
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Pirates' Aroldis Chapman: Locks down save
Rotowire
Chapman struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against the Yankees on Friday.
Chapman needed only eight pitches to quickly plow through the Yankees' 7-8-9 hitters and finish off the 4-2 win. It was his 13th save of the season and eight have come in September. He's converted seven consecutive save chances while posting a 2.57 ERA over his last seven appearances. Chapman owns a 3.84 ERA and a 97:39 K:BB through 61 innings this year.
