BOSTON (AP) — All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $13.3 million, one-year contract for 2026 that includes a 2027 vesting option.
Chapman will be guaranteed $26 million over two years if he pitches at least 40 innings next season. The team announced the deal Sunday following a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park.
Chapman, who earned his eighth All-Star selection this season, gets a $13 million salary next year. If the left-hander reaches 40 innings in 2026, he gets a $13 million salary again in 2027. If not, he would receive a $300,000 buyout unless both sides accept a mutual option, which would be unlikely.
The 37-year-old Chapman is having perhaps his best year, with a career-low 1.02 ERA during his 16th major league season and first in Boston. He converted his 27th save on Sunday.
“I think this guy has been great for us, and not only on the field,” manager Alex Cora said before the game. “What he’s done on the field is amazing.”
After earning his 350th career save this season, the hard-throwing Chapman said his goal was to reach 400.
He extended his career-best hitless streak Sunday to 15 games, the longest in club history and tied for the third-longest in the majors since 1901. Toronto’s Sergio Santos was the last to go that long, in 2013.
Chapman has 76 strikeouts in 53 innings this season. He hasn’t given up a hit to the last 44 batters he’s faced.
Chapman is 59-47 with a 2.52 ERA and 362 saves for the Reds (2010-15), Yankees (2016-22), Cubs (2016), Royals (2023), Rangers (2023), Pirates (2024) and Red Sox (2025). He ranks third in strikeouts by a relief pitcher (1,322) and 13th on the career saves list.
___
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
(Copyright (c) 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
