New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman reportedly plans to opt out of his current deal and test free agency this offseason.
It seems that Aroldis Chapman will test free agency after this season instead of sticking out his final two years and $30 million with the New York Yankees.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Bombers closer is “one million percent” going to opt out of his current contract.
This would be a shame for the Yanks, as Chapman has proven to be one of the more dominant closers in baseball. Thus far in 2019, Chapman has 25 saves, posting an ERA of 2.45. Chapman has struck out 53 batters through 36.2 innings pitched in the process.
Chapman is a six-time All-Star as well, making the last two Midsummer Classics with the Yanks. New York traded for the closer in 2015, only to trade him to the Cubs in July of 2016 for Gleyber Torres. Chapman decided to return to the Yankees for the 2017 season, signing a five-year, $86 million deal.
The veteran closer is hoping to receive a big payday if he opts out and chooses to sign with another team. Chapman might not want to risk giving up $30 million to try his luck in free agency. However, Craig Kimbrel recently signed a three-year, $43 million contract with the Cubs.
Chapman would have to like his chances to sign a more lucrative deal than Kimbrel, especially considering how dominant he has been in 2019. That being said, the winter is a long way off and nothing is set in stone. Chapman and the Yankees still have the second half of the season to worry about.