The Boston Red Sox and Aroldis Chapman almost split ways a few weeks ago during Major League Baseball’s trade deadline.
Prior to the Red Sox’s historic stretch, there were many concerns about Boston moving on from him. Chapman has been one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball for a lot of his career and has been just as good as anybody else over the past two seasons.
However, because he’s getting older and the Red Sox were one of the worst teams in the league prior to that stretch, it would have made sense to trade him.
The Red Sox and Chapman were able to continue this relationship because of the type of baseball they were playing, and that seems to be the best outcome for everybody.
Chapman now has to throw just .1 more innings over the remainder of the season to have his 2027 contract guaranteed. That deal would be about $13.3 million guaranteed.
“Chapman has thrown 39 ⅔ innings over 41 games this season, leaving him just one out short of the all-important 40-inning mark that all but guarantees his return to the Red Sox in 2027. Chapman’s contract, which he signed over Labor Day weekend last year, included a $13.3 million guarantee for this season and a vesting option for 2027.
“That clause stated that if Chapman were to throw 40 innings in 2026 and pass an end-of-season physical, he would receive a $13 million salary for 2027 (that can grow up to an extra $1 million based on award finishes),” Chris Cotillo wrote.
$13.3 million for a player of Chapman’s caliber is an absolute steal, even at his age. While he hasn’t been used in a couple of days, the Red Sox will eventually use him on the mound once again, and he’ll guarantee his contract for next season.
This should come in the next few days if things go as planned.
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