Aroldis Chapman to Sign with Pirates: What to Make of Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates took a step forward in 2023. The Bucs won 76 games last season, a 14-game improvement from 2022. And, the 2023 campaign saw jumps in production from the likes of Ke’Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller. The Pirates have made several additions to their pitching staff already this winter, and now Aroldis Chapman has reportedly agreed to head to Pittsburgh.

A Look at Chapman

One year ago, Aroldis Chapman took a one-year deal with the Royals after what was a chaotic 2022 campaign with the Yankees. Fast forward to today and things have greatly changed with Chapman.

In 2022, Chapman continued what was an ugly trend of losing velocity off his four-seamer and struggled to find consistency. His issues on the mound led the Yankees to install Clay Holmes as the team’s new closer.

But with the Royals, Chapman seemingly hit the fountain of youth. The 35-year-old averaged a mean four-seam velocity of 99 MPH, his highest since 2017. And, Chapman began to leverage the two-seamer more, as he used it more than 10% in 2023 than in 2022.

Aroldis Chapman whiff 2023 — Chapman looked more like his vintage self in 2023 and that was reflected in his whiff chart. A lot of misses up in the zone with his heaters.

The increased use of the sinker was a difference-maker. Chapman used the pitch primarily against right-handed hitters and its running action coupled with velocity — it had a ridiculous mean velocity of 101.1 MPH, the highest in the Majors — netted the lefty a higher GB% rate and a .097 average off the pitch.

Chapman also appeared to have made some minor tweaks to his delivery. With the Yankees, the left-hander was well-known to bring up the front leg up high, with his knee coming up above his abdomen. But in 2023, Chapman reduced the leg kick a bit and kept that lower half a bit more controlled.

From 2022
From 2023

Put all the pieces together and Chapman turned in a very strong campaign. The 35-year-old recorded a 15.9 K/9 last season, second-most among relievers (min. 30 IP) behind only Felix Bautista.

After Chapman was dealt to Texas in exchange for Cole Ragans, the lefty gave the Rangers (2.25 ERA, 8 K in 9 IP) much-needed relief during their World Series championship run.

Per the New York Post, Aroldis Chapman will receive a one-year deal worth $10.5MM with the Pirates.

Analysis

Chapman is the second ex-Ranger to join the Pirates after the 2023 World Series after Martin Perez joined Pittsburgh earlier in the offseason. The 35-year-old Chapman joins a re-aligned pitching staff, one that now includes both Perez and Marco Gonzales as likely starters in 2024.

The Pirates have an established closer in David Bednar, meaning that Chapman will likely be the primary setup man in a bullpen that currently includes Dauri Moreta, Colin Holderman, Jose Hernandez, and Ryan Borucki. Chapman did well in a setup role last year, even though he was called upon to close games at times with the Rangers.

Now, he could be a piece to move at the Trade Deadline. But, the Pirates do have a decent chance to at least make waves in the NL Central in 2024. With no clear front-runner and a plethora of young talent, this move can also be looked at as one to help the Pirates hold on to leads late.

The Pirates did relatively well in that regard in 2023. Pittsburgh was 22-17 in one-run games.