Fastball

Former New York Yankees Star Aroldis Chapman Garnering Serious Free Agent Interest

According to Cuban Baseball Insider Francys Romero, the flamethrower has interest from at least six teams thus far this offseason.
Brady Farkas|
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (45) reacts after striking out Cincinnati Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild (not pictured) to end the eighth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 6-5 on Aug 23.
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (45) reacts after striking out Cincinnati Reds center fielder Stuart Fairchild (not pictured) to end the eighth inning at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won 6-5 on Aug 23. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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New York YankeesCincinnati RedsPittsburgh Pirates

According to Cuban Baseball Insider Francys Romero, free agent reliever Aroldis Chapman is generating significant interest on the free agent market early on this offseason.

Per Romero on "X:"

Per sources, more than 6 teams are expect to have real interest in Aroldis Chapman this offseason.

The Cuban Missile finished the 2024 season with a high value: 9 SV in September as a closer and 98.7 MPH average in fastball (4th among relievers).

Chapman, who will turn 37 years old before the start of the 2025 season, spent the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in 68 games. He went 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA, registering 14 saves in total. He took over at the end of the year for an injured David Bednar, getting those nine saves.

A 15-year veteran, Chapman has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Pirates. He helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and the Rangers take the title in 2023.

It will be interesting to see what lies ahead for Chapman. He's getting interest, as Romero indicates, but will he get a closer's job or be forced into an eighth inning role? Will he be able to sign with a contender or will he sign with a non-contending team and hope for a mid-season trade?

In addition to Chapman, there are other interesting relievers on the market including David Robertson, Jordan Romano and Kyle Finnegan. Trade candidates like Ryan Helsley could also be had for the right price.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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