A breakup between reliever Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox seems inevitable because of the contrasting seasons so far, heading into the trade deadline. But whether that breakup leads to a reunion with their divisional rivals, the New York Yankees, has attracted a huge claim from the 38-year-old.
Earlier this week, speaking to ESPN’s Enrique Rojas, Chapman admitted that he had to reassess the possibility of heading back to the Bronx after his ugly departure at the end of the 2022 season.
“What happened, happened, if something like this were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first,” Chapman said before accepting the “someone” needs to be Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
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After five seasons with the Yankees starting, Chapman was left off the chief closer role in 2022, after managing a 4.46 ERA in 43 appearances for the club. He was abruptly left off their AL Division Series roster and later fined for missing a practice session before the series. Chapman still contends that he had permission to go to Miami.
Fans on social media, however, dismissed Chapman’s words as arrogance. Here are a few reactions from X:
“How delusional can you be?” a fan questioned.
“He was a failure for the Yankees. And he will fail again. Stay away from this loser,” a fan wrote.
“F**k him lol. Abusive loser who quit on the team,” a fan bluntly stated.
“Who does he think he is?? He does not hold the cards,” another fan wrote.
“Is he going to apologize for quitting on the team right before the playoffs? Maybe he could say “sorry” for sucking so bad after the league banned the sticky stuff,” a fan added.
Since joining the Red Sox, Chapman signed to a $13.3 million contract, has reinvented himself as one of the best relievers in the sport. He has a 1.00 ERA over 81.0 innings in 87 appearances for the club. He finished seventh in the Cy Young voting and even earned MVP awards and has continued in the same vein of form with a 0.46 ERA this year.
Aroldis Chapman says he will consider retirement if traded to the Yankees
Aroldis Chapman has accepted the fate that he will be dealt to a contender when the trade deadline comes around, but a move to the Yankees will have to be heavily discussed.
“I’m in a position right now where I’m under contract and I don’t have any control over my contract,” Chapman said. “I don’t have any clauses or anything with any team, but [going to New York] would be something that, first of all, I would have to talk to the manager about. Sit down and talk and see what would happen.”
Continuing his rant, he even stated he will consider retirement if he has to head back to New York.
“If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home,” also added. “I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
The Yankees, currently in first place in the AL East with a 41-26 record, have held their own in the bullpen department. But adding Chapman will certainly increase their chances of a deeper playoff run.
Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy