Aroldis Chapman, 37, continues to throw a 100+ mph fastball, averaging 100.9 mph this season and producing 156 pitches at or above 100 mph. Chapman signed a $13.3 million, one-year contract for 2026 with a vesting option that could raise total pay to $26 million over two years if he reaches 40 innings in 2026. The contract includes a $300,000 buyout if the option does not vest and a mutual option possibility. Chapman earned his eighth All-Star selection. Teammates attended the news conference and team leaders praised his dedication to conditioning.
All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman showed up for Monday's news conference wearing a T-shirt with a weight lifting dumbbell across the front and a Boston Red Sox logo in the middle. Judging by his size and commitment to working out, it's easy to see why the 37-year-old maintains a 100 mph fastball. "This morning at 9 o'clock he was already in the weight room," Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said one day after the team finalized a $13.3 million, one-year contract for 2026.
Chapman's deal contains a vesting option for 2027 and would pay $26 million over two years if he pitches at least 40 innings next season. The team announced the deal Sunday following a 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Asked whether he ever felt old around younger players, Chapman said through a translator: "No, no I feel the same as they are - 27, 25." Chapman, who earned his eighth All-Star selection this season, entered Monday with an average fastball velocity of 100.9 mph.
He had thrown 156 pitches of 100 mph or higher, sixth in the major leagues behind 27-year-old Mason Miller, Daniel Palencia (25), Jhoan Duran (27), Hunter Greene (26) and Seth Halvorsen (25). Pitchers Garrett Crochet, Greg Weissert and Brennan Bernardino and young star Roman Anthony were among Chapman's teammates at the news conference.
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