There are plenty of questions in the Pirates' rotation, so the plan appears to be to make sure the final innings of games are rock solid.
The Pirates and veteran lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman are in agreement for a one-year, $10.5 million deal, per source. The deal is pending a physical.
Chapman, who turns 36 in February, was long a thorn in the Pirates' side when he was the closer for the Reds from 2010-2015. He split last season between the Royals and the World Champion Rangers, where he posted a 3.09 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 58 1/3 innings.
Once one of the game's premier closers, he has transitioned to more of a setup role in recent years, which is why he logged just six saves last season. His 321 career saves proves he has plenty of late-inning success, and when paired with David Bednar in the ninth, it should give the Pirates one of the best setup man-closer combos in the National League. Mix in other relievers who emerged last season -- like Carmen Mlodzinski, Colin Holderman and Ryan Borucki -- and the Pirates have the makings of one of the better bullpens in the National League.
They'll need that bullpen to click given the uncertainty in the rotation. Mitch Keller is leading the group, and they added veteran southpaws Martín Pérez and Marco Gonzales this winter. Things get hazy after that. Bailey Falter was acquired last trade deadline, there is a group of young pitchers who hit bumps in the road but have high upsides (Roansy Contreras, Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester), plus a good batch of prospects who should be available midseason, headlined by Paul Skenes. That bullpen is going to need to cover innings and post zeroes for the team to take a step forward in 2024.
Chapman looks to still be an impact pitcher to help that group. He ranked in the 99th or 100th percentile of pitchers last season in strikeout rate (41.4%), whiff rate (42.2%), fastball velocity (99.5 mph) and expected batting average against (.171). Borucki was a nice find last season, but Chapman gives the team something that has been a rarity in recent years: A true hard-throwing lefty, and an established veteran in that bullpen.
Over his 14-year career, Chapman is 50-40 with a 2.53 ERA over 698 1/3 innings pitched. His 321 career saves is tied for 21st all-time in baseball history.
The agreed upon $10.5 million salary is the most Ben Cherington has signed a free agent for in his time as the Pirates' general manager.
The Pirates will need to make a corresponding move to add Chapman to the 40-man roster.
