Aroldis Chapman spent parts of seven seasons with the New York Yankees. And he wouldn’t want to return for an eighth.
The Boston Red Sox closer appeared on the “Swing Completo” podcast and affirmed he didn’t want to don pinstripes again.
“No way,” Chapman said. “If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
Chapman noted he didn’t have any problems with his teammates or Aaron Boone — he also played for Joe Girardi in 2016 — but “dealt with a lot of disrespect” during his time in the Bronx.
“I put up with a lot of things. I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn’t know how,” he said. “And I just dealt with it quietly, kept playing, and doing what I always do.”
Chapman’s time with the Yankees ended on a sour note. He was left off the 2022 American League Division Series roster after he missed a mandatory workout, but bounced back in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals before he was traded to the Texas Rangers — where he helped lift them to a World Series championship.
After spending the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chapman signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2025 season.
The 37-year-old was dominant for Boston, posting a 1.17 ERA — the best of his career — with 32 saves, 85 strikeouts and a 0.701 WHIP.
In August, Chapman signed an extension with the Red Sox worth a guaranteed $13.3 million in 2026. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2027 that could bring the two-year value of the deal to $26 million.
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