*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
More bullpen reinforcements are going to the steel city. LHP Aroldis Chapman and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one year, $10.5 million contract, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The deal has been confirmed.
Chapman provides the Pirates bullpen with a big arm that lights up the radar gun in high leverage situations. Though he struggles with control, he had a 41.4 percent strikeout rate last season and allowed only 4 home runs. He also has experience closing games, though he's settled into more of a setup role recently.
Last season, Chapman pitched for both the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. Combined between both teams, he posted a 3.09 ERA, 2.52 FIP, and 1.251 WHIP, averaging 15.9 strikeouts per 9 innings with 6 saves in 61 appearances, throwing 58 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs in 8 innings in the postseason.
The calling card of Chapman's dominance is his fastball. He averages 99 mph on his fastball, ranking in the 99th percentile in fastball velocity. His 41.4 percent strikeout rate put him in the 100th percentile in strikeout rate as well as whiff rate.
In his career, Chapman has been selected to 7 All Star teams, with his most recent selection coming in 2021. His $10.5 million salary will make him the second highest paid player on the Pirates, trailing only Bryan Reynolds' salary of just over $13 million.
Chapman has pitched for 5 different teams in 14 seasons since debuting in 2010 with the Cincinnati Reds. He has a 2.53 ERA, 1.084 WHIP, and 2.36 FIP, throwing 698 1/3 innings and picking up 321 saves in 728 appearances, all in relief. He has a 2.37 ERA and 1.135 WHIP with 10 saves in 44 appearances in the playoffs, throwing 49 1/3 innings.
After a 76 win season in 2023, the Pirates brought in Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales to aid the starting rotation while also signing first baseman Rowdy Tellez and bringing back outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
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