Pittsburgh makes official millionaire contract with Aroldis Chapman for one year

February 4, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates, a National League team in which fellow Caribbean pitcher Johan Oviedo threw in the previous season, officially signed Cuban reliever Aroldis Chapman for one year and US$10.5 million, according to an announcement by the organization this Wednesday.

In the previous contest he had signed for one season (US$3.75 million) with the Royals and posted an ERA of 2.45 in 31 appearances for the Kansas City team before being sent to the Rangers in late June.

For the Texas squad, Chapman pitched in nine postseason games with an ERA of 2.25 during Texas's march toward the World Series title.

Although the left-hander is not profiled as a closer at this stage of his career (he has achieved just 15 saves in the regular season in the last two years), he still averages 99.5 mph with his fastball.

"I've always liked playing in this Pittsburgh city, I think it has good fans, with a really beautiful stadium, one of the most beautiful in the Major Leagues, at least for me. I feel quite excited to be able to be here, to meet my teammates, the staff and everyone, very happy to join the team," Chapman commented at the presentation with his new team.

Chapman is the first pitcher born in Cuba with two World Series rings with teams from different leagues: National League (Chicago Cubs, 2016) and American League (Texas Rangers, 2023). Without a doubt, an admirable career from start to finish.

Aroldis is heading into his fifteenth season in MLB, in 2023 he split his year between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. Previously he had pitched with the Yankees, Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, so the Pirates organization would be his sixth in the Majors.

"It's a young team, with many dreams and goals, I think it was a good place for me, to be in the National League and play with old teammates as well," added the 'Cuban Missile'.

The Holguín native would be the tenth pitcher born in Cuba to pitch with the Pirates, following Pedro Ramos, José Contreras, Yoslán Herrera, Tony Menéndez, Orlando Peña, Cholly Naranjo, Luis Tiant, Lino Donoso and Johan Oviedo.

In 14 contests as a major leaguer they barely hit him for .165 in 698.1 innings of work. He maintains a record of 50 wins, 40 losses, 321 saves (Cuban historical leader) and 41 holds. He has struck out 1148 batters (14.80 K9) and has given up 354 walks (4.56 BB9).