As the Boston Red Sox continue to sink further into last place in the AL East, it’s becoming
increasingly likely that All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman will be traded. One of the rumored
landing spots for the eight-time All-Star is with his former team, the New York Yankees. It
makes sense given the Yankees need bullpen help and have already blown 11 saves this season.
Many fans can recall that his time in the Bronx ended badly. Recently, the 38-year-old came out
and said that if New York were to trade for him, General Manager Brian Cashman would have
to apologize to him. However, the Yankees don’t owe him an apology and should look
elsewhere for relief reinforcements.
Since signing with the Red Sox, Aroldis Chapman has revitalized his career. Despite Boston
having a tumultuous year, it hasn’t affected Chapman. The fireballer is having the best year of
his career. Chapman currently has an ERA of just 0.46, converted all 13 of his save
opportunities, has a 33.8% strikeout rate, and a 0.915 WHIP. At 38-years-old, Chapman is on
track to appear in his ninth career All-Star game and second straight appearance. Given how
high his value is and the Red Sox’s current position, he will be an attractive trade deadline
option for postseason-contending teams.
One potential landing spot that has emerged is the archrival, the New York Yankees. On paper,
the Yankees are having another fantastic season. The team is currently 41-26 and is merely
percentage points behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East’s top spot. However, they need
bullpen reinforcements. While the Yankees’ bullpen has a combined ERA of 3.42, trailing only
the Mariners, Rangers, and Red Sox, New York has also blown 11 saves.
Relievers like Camilo Doval and Jake Bird have struggled badly. Tim Hill hasn’t been nearly as
effective as he was in his first two seasons in the Bronx. Even closer, David Bednar has struggled
with consistency at times. One could argue that the only dependable late-inning relievers the
Yankees have now are Fernando Cruz and Brent Headrick. Making a move for Aroldis Chapman
would make sense.
Aroldis Chapman has been with the Yankees twice during his career. However, his last season
with the team was tumultuous. During May of the 2022 season, Chapman struggled and later
developed Achilles tendonitis, which caused him to miss 38 games and led to him permanently
losing the closer role to Clay Holmes. In late August, perhaps still feeling miffed about being
removed as closer, he decided to get a tattoo, resulting in him contracting an infection, forcing
the team to place him on the injured list, where he’d miss 15 games. Right before the
postseason, due to not being guaranteed a spot on the ALDS roster, the veteran pitcher
decided to skip a mandatory team practice. The team deemed it insubordination, effectively
ending Chapman’s time in the Bronx.
While the Yankees need bullpen help, they don’t need to make it awkward by forcing a reunion
with Aroldis Chapman. Despite not having pitched for the team in nearly four seasons, the
veteran closer hasn’t said anything nice about the team since departing. He even once said he’d
retire before ever coming back to the Bronx. If anything, it’s Chapman who owes Cashman an
apology, given how his final season unfolded. That alone should end any discussion about
having him back for a third stint. New York shouldn’t be desperate enough to bring a player like
that into the clubhouse. While Aroldis Chapman has returned to dominant form, the Yankees
could pursue other options without bringing back a player who had a bitter departure.
