Aroldis Chapman's contract with the Boston Red Sox will extend into 2027 when he reaches 40 innings pitched and passes a physical.
Entering play on Thursday, he is at 39 2/3 innings of work. He will soon just be a passed physical away from securing $13 million from the Red Sox next year. The team has no reason to move one, considering he is still pitching like an All-Star and costs them much less than other star closers. The real question is how much more Chapman has in the tank.
The 38-year-old was named to his ninth All-Star Game this year and is still running it up on the radar gun. The Red Sox are his seventh team, and had the team not turned things around, he would have been one of the hottest names at the trade deadline.
“I hope so,” Chapman said when asked if he hopes to finish his career in Boston, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. “I’m a little bit tired of going team to team, so I hope so.”
Chapman has a 2.04 ERA this season and has notched 27 saves. He is five saves shy of matching last year's total. He also has 50 strikeouts. Walks have been more of an issue this year, but he has been dominant overall. The Red Sox are lucky to have him as their closer.
With the postseason rolling around, Chapman will have a chance to win another World Series. He has won the Fall Classic as a member of the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs. Both of those came in seasons when he was traded.
"Happy we were able to turn it around,” Chapman said. “Thank God I’m still here, because that’s what I wanted.”
Chapman had no interest in being dealt, so the Red Sox's 15-game win streak essentially secured his stay in Boston for another year.