Red Sox
Chapman has been one of the best closers in MLB this season, and now will remain with the Red Sox in 2026.
Aroldis Chapman has been one of the best closers in MLB this year, and now the Red Sox have reportedly retained his arm for at least the 2026 season.
According to MLB reporter Francys Romero, Boston and Chapman agreed on a contract extension worth $13.3 million in 2026. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2027 based on how many innings he pitches next year. If that option doesn’t trigger, it turns into a mutual option.
Chapman’s first season with the Red Sox has turned into one of the best of his 16-year MLB career. The closer has been automatic when trotted out to protect a ninth-inning lead. He holds a 1.04 ERA — the lowest of his career — and 74 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched this year with 26 saves to boot.
He’s been especially dominant since the start of June; from June 1 to August 27 he only allowed six hits and commanded a 0.31 ERA.
On top of the dominant broader metrics, Chapman has taken a leap forward this season in terms of his command. He already held a high strikeout percentage for his career (40 percent), but now has a significantly lower walk total than ever before. His 2.4 walks per nine innings isn’t only the lowest mark of his career, it’s less than half his rate from 2024 (5.7 walks/nine).
As Boston marches toward its first playoff berth in four years, it took the time to finalize a deal now and avoid free agency competition. It also gives the 37 year old Chapman a chance to settle into the city he now calls home for at least the next 1-2 seasons.
Boston has been fairly aggressive with moves regarding its 2025 free agent class. The team inked a lengthy extension with ace Garrett Crochet shortly after the season began. It also released Walker Buehler on Friday, and now has a new deal with Chapman.
Chapman’s extension leaves Alex Bregman as the last impact signing without longterm security in Boston. The third baseman’s deal runs through 2027 but includes opt-outs after 2025 and 2026, so Bregman could elect to hit free agency again if he doesn’t get a new deal with the Red Sox.
Other contracts aside, Chapman is now in a position to potentially retire a member of the Red Sox. And if not that, he’ll at least continue his intimidating stare down of opposing batters at Fenway Park beyond 2025.
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