New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is reportedly pursuing a contract extension, will opt-out if one isn’t finalized.
Now that the 2019 MLB season has concluded, contract talks will soon enough begin. Who’s staying and who’s going? Who’ll be awarded an extension? The latter question will involve New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, who has two years and $30 million left on his current deal.
The veteran definitely wants to stay in New York. If he isn’t rewarded an extension in a timely manner, he’ll go ahead and opt-out of his deal. The Yankees would then offer the $17.8 million qualifying offer. This, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Aroldis Chapman prefers to remain a Yankee and will pursue an extension with the team. If no extension can be done quickly, he will opt out of the $30M and 2 years left on his contract. Whereupon the Yankees will extend the $17.8M qualifying offer (which he obvs would decline)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 1, 2019
Chapman signed a five-year, $86 million deal prior to the 2017 season. He’s set to be a free agent after the conclusion of the 2021 campaign. In his current deal, he carries a payroll salary of $17,200,000 each season.
In 60 appearances this year, Chapman posted a record of 3-2 with 37 saves. He finished with a 2.21 ERA and a 1.105 WHIP. Additionally, he struck out 85 batters and walked 25 through 57.0 innings pitched.
The 31-year-old has 273 saves over the course of his 10 years in the majors. This lines up with a lifetime ERA of 2.23 and a lifetime WHIP of 1.023.
The Yanks’ season ended when the Houston Astros suddenly defeated them in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Houston second baseman José Altuve smacked a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Chapman. The Astros then went on to fall to the Washington Nationals in the World Series.
