BOSTON — The Red Sox checked a box for 2026 even before the end of the 2025 season Saturday night, reaching agreement with closer Aroldis Chapman on a one-year extension, MassLive has confirmed.
The deal, according to an industry source, is worth a guaranteed $13.3 million in 2026, also includes a vesting option for 2027 that could bring the two-year value of the deal to $26 million. The vesting option is based on innings pitched.
Chapman, 37, is having one of his best seasons in a long career this year, with 26 saves in 28 chances, a 1.04 ERA in 57 appearances to go along with an 0.673 WHIP.
He’s struck out 74 batters in 52 innings and has cut down his walk rate dramatically. This year, he’s averaging 2.4 per nine innings against a career average of 4.5.
The Red Sox signed Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million deal last December. Chapman had pitched for six other teams in his career previous to coming to Boston.
He was named to the American League All-Star team in July. He’s not allowed a hit over his last 14 appearances and has allowed just one earned run in his 34 games.
Chapman’s 361 career saves rank him 14th all time and he is currently third in most career strikeouts be a reliever at 1,321, just 19 behind second-place Goose Gossage.
Just days ago, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was asked about working out a deal to keep Chapman past this season.
“Those conversations are always evolving,” Breslow told MassLive, “but based on the feedback I’ve gotten from Aroldis, he’s enjoyed his time in Boston, the city, the fan base, the coaching staff his teammates….And this has worked out really, really well for us, so of course (extending him) is something we’d want to consider.
“It will take two sides, but this guy is having a historic season for a reliever. Certainly there’s reason to be skeptical as players reach their late 30s, but if you had to bet on somebody, the way he keeps himself in shape and how physically strong he is, that’s the type of guy you’d want to bet on.”
News of the agreement was first reported by Francys Romero.
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