Chapman’s Market: Three Teams That Could be Interested in…
Have a fastball, and you will travel. Such is the case for relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman has bounced around the league since his time with the Yankees ended. He signed a one-year contract with the Royals for the 2023 season before being traded to the Rangers in June. Chapman was a key part of the Rangers bullpen during their championship run. He signed another one-year deal with the Pirates for 2024, making him a free agent again this offseason.
Chapman continued to pitch well, posting a 3.79 ERA and a 1.346 WHiP in his 61.2 innings, striking out 98 batters with 39 walks. Chapman took over as the Pirates closer down the stretch, notching 14 saves. While his command issues remain, he still has his electric fastball, routinely hitting triple digits. He can still be an option in late innings for a contending team.
Where will Aroldis Chapman end up in free agency? Let’s take a look at three possible landing spots.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals addressed their bullpen at the 2024 trade deadline, adding closer Lucas Erceg and Hunter Harvey. Both relievers will be part of the 2025 bullpen, but more help is needed.
While Royals general manager J.J. Picollo downplayed adding to the bullpen this offseason, another reliever would make sense. The Royals bullpen ranked 20th in the majors with a 4.13 ERA and 28th with 8.06 K/9. A reunion with Chapman would add another high-octane arm to the back of the bullpen and provide a reliever with closing experience should Erceg falter.
Minnesota Twins
There were plenty of reasons why the Minnesota Twins imploded over the final two months of the 2024 season. The Twins’ bullpen was a key part of the problem, their 4.50 ERA from Aug. 1 through the end of the season ranking 23rd in the majors.
Left-handed relief was a sore spot for the Twins throughout the season. Twins lefty relievers ranked last in the majors with a 5.75 ERA and 28th with a .328 batting average on balls in play against. The Twins depth chart currently has Kody Funderburk as the only lefty in the bullpen. As Funderburk posted a 6.49 ERA and a 1.615 WHiP in his 34.2 innings, another left-handed reliever would make sense. Chapman could be the piece the Twins need.
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have been one of the more active teams in the early stages of free agency, spending over $90 million to fortify their roster. The bullpen, especially from the left side, is another area of need.
Angels left-handed relievers posted a 4.72 ERA in 2024, 25th in the majors. There are questions in the bullpen beyond the Angels’ potential lefties; presumed closer Ben Joyce has a 105 mph fastball but has four saves in his career. Robert Stephenson missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. Chapman would add a veteran presence with closer experience to a team that needs to shore up the back of its bullpen if it is going to truly contend for a playoff spot.
