Red Sox Secure Aroldis Chapman’s Future: What This Unexpected Extension Means for Their Championship Hopes
It’s official — the Boston Red Sox are locking down Aroldis Chapman for the foreseeable future. Just this past Sunday, the Sox and Chapman hammered out a $13.3 million agreement for the 2026 season, alongside a vesting option that could keep him in Boston through 2027. Talk about commitment! If Chapman logs 40 innings next year, he’s looking at a hefty $26 million over two years, but even if he falls short, there’s a $300,000 buyout on the table, unless both sides decide to switch up the terms.
Now, let’s talk about the man himself. The 37-year-old reliever is absolutely dominating in his debut season with Boston, boasting a career-low 1.04 ERA across 57 games and 52 innings pitched. As of Sunday, he notched his 27th save, sealing a 5-2 victory against the Pirates — impressive stuff, without a doubt. Chapman’s current streak of 15 hitless games? That’s the longest in Red Sox history and the longest anyone’s managed in Major League Baseball since 2013.
With 362 career saves, Chapman’s journey from his start with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 to stints with heavyweights like the Yankees, Cubs, Royals, Rangers, and Pirates, shows exactly why Boston’s keen to keep him around. As the Red Sox sit third in the AL East with a 76-62 record, trailing the Blue Jays by 3.5 games, they’re sprinting toward what could be a wild-card berth — a postseason appearance they crave since 2021. Buckle up, folks, this ride’s getting interesting.
The Boston Red Sox are keeping Aroldis Chapman around.
Chapman and the Red Sox reached a $13.3 million deal Sunday for the 2026 campaign that includes a vesting option for 2027, the team announced.
He’ll now be guaranteed $26 million over two years if he pitches at least 40 innings next summer. If he doesn’t, he would receive a $300,000 buyout unless both sides accept a mutual option otherwise.
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The 37-year-old closer is in the midst of one of his best seasons to date in his first campaign in Boston. He holds a career-best 1.04 ERA in 57 games and 52 innings pitched, and he converted his 27th save of the season Sunday while helping the Red Sox grab a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Chapman has gone 15 games without allowing a hit, the longest in Red Sox history. That’s the longest streak in Major League Baseball since Toronto Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos did so in 2013.
Chapman has 362 saves in his career. The Cuban native got his start in the league in 2010 with the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent six seasons before a seven-year run with the New York Yankees. He’s also spent time with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
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With their win Sunday, the Red Sox are 76-62 record. That has them third in the AL East, 3.5 games behind the Blue Jays in the division race. Boston is currently on pace to secure a wild-card spot. That would send the franchise back to the postseason for the first time since 2021.
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