Chapman Exiting?
Early Wednesday morning, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Chapman is “one million percent” planning to hit free agency rather than playing out the final two years and $30 million of his contract. The news surely came as a surprise to Yankee fans with the uncertainty of their star closer future.
Later in the day, Aroldis Chapman said that any talk that he has decided to opt out of his Yankees contract is “completely false.”
“The report is completely false,” Chapman said through a translator. “I haven’t even spoken to my agent about it. Like I said before, we have a big task in front of us, which is to win the division and win the World Series. That’s the main focus for me right now. Contract stuff hasn’t even crossed my mind at all.”
Between the lines it sounds like Chapman has one foot out the door already. Following this season, Chapman will have two years and approximately $34.4 million remaining on the five-year, $86 million pact he signed prior to the 2017 season. Chapman has been the Yankees star closer in clutch situation and a key piece of the teams lethal bullpen.
The 31-year-old Chapman has converted 25 of 29 save opportunities this season, compiling a 2.45 ERA in 39 appearances. Replacing an All-Star quality closer would be a big loss to the franchise and the offseason lingers with big questions concerning the Cuban Missile.
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