As per various sources left-hander Aroldis Chapman has signed a 1-year, 10.7 million dollar contract with the Boston Redsox pending a physical. With this contract the Cuban flamethrower becomes the highest earning relief pitcher of all time (176,566,491) surpassing Mariano Rivera’s 169,614,125.
The hurler posted a 3.79 ERA in 61.2 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the recently concluded season. Signed as a setup man for closer David Bednar, Chapman recorded a career-high 22 Holds before taking over as Bednar’s closer at the end of the season. During that stint he saved14 games, his best mark since he made 31 with the Yankees in 2021.
Chapman will become the 21st Cuban to wear the colors of the Boston Red Sox, a list that Eusebio González inaugurated in 1918. During this century, eight players have played for the team Rolando Arrojo, José Iglesias, Yoenis Céspedes, Rusney Castillo, Dalier Hinojosa, Yoan Moncada and the last one was the left-hander Roenis Elías (2016-2017).
Over his career Chapman has won 55 games, saved 335 games, posted a 2.63 earned run average and has fanned 1,246 batters in 760 innings pitched. The flamethrowing lefty also has a 1.10 over his 15 years on the grand stage and opponents also hit .168 against the reliever. Expect southpaw to be in the back end of the team’s bullpen possibility occupying the role of closer.