With 15 MLB seasons and 335 career saves under his belt, Aroldis Chapman is by far the most experienced and accomplished reliever currently in the Red Sox bullpen.
But Chapman’s past exploits won’t guarantee that he’s the Red Sox closer for the 2025 season.
Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey hopped on MassLive’s “Fenway Rundown” podcast and didn’t want to pigeonhole Chapman, who signed a one-year, $10.75 million deal with Boston this offseason, into a specific role yet. But Bailey is positive the flamethrowing lefty will make a difference in Boston’s bullpen.
“What we try and do is communicate, so no promises (made) about going into spring training in terms of roles or identifies in the bullpen,” Bailey told MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “That will all shake itself out in due time. I’m sure he’ll have his opportunities at the back end. But going into the season and having a guy like that who’s pretty flexible in terms of deployment and role (is beneficial).
“What we ask for is communication on certain days — that’s what we pride ourselves on. He’s going to have an impact. This guy’s done it for a really long time, and has thrown in the biggest of games and has done really well. So we’re excited to have him down there.”
Chapman isn’t at the peak of his powers anymore when he went to the All-Star Game three times in four seasons with the New York Yankees. The 36-year-old tallied 14 saves with the Pittsburgh Pirates this past season, which was his most since his final All-Star campaign in 2021 when he recorded 30.
Chapman can still rack up plenty of swings and misses this late in his career with his fastball averaging just a tick below triple digits. He struck out 98 batters in 61 2/3 innings with the Pirates.
But one drawback to having him close games is his control issues. Chapman let up 39 walks this past season, and four of his highest walks per nine innings seasons have come since 2021.
The Red Sox don’t have a clear-cut option to be the team’s closer, though. Liam Hendriks, who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since June 2023 and is coming off Tommy John surgery, and Justin Slaten are candidates while the Red Sox could sign a premier reliever in free agency like Tanner Scott or Jeff Hoffman to assume the role.
Chapman said he talked with Bailey and Red Sox manager Alex Cora, but didn’t get an indication yet on how he will be used out of the bullpen. Not having a defined role at the moment isn’t bothersome to Chapman.
“We had time to talk, but nothing about that,” Chapman told reporters through a translator Thursday, per team-provided video. “I don’t have any problem pitching in any kind of situation. I’ve pretty much been in every role in the bullpen. Anytime they need me I’ll be ready to pitch.”
