Aroldis Chapman decided to ink an extension with the New York Yankees rather than opt out of his deal and test free agency.
According to reports and Aroldis Chapman’s Twitter account, the New York Yankees just locked in their closer for the next three seasons.
New York Post writer Dan Martin reported on Sunday that the Bombers and Chapman had agreed to an extension. The deal came well ahead of the Nov. 3 midnight deadline for Chapman to opt out of his current contract.
The Yankees added an extra year for $18 million onto Chapman’s deal. That brings his remaining contract value to $48 million.
Chapman’s original deal paid him $17.2 million annually, according to Sportrac. Therefore, he took only a slight increase to stay in pinstripes.
Popular opinion among sports media personalities is that fellow closer Craig Kimbrel’s well-documented struggles with free agency in 2019 informed Chapman’s decision.
The 31-year-old Cuban southpaw seemingly shared the news in a bilingual tweet early Sunday morning. The English read, “New York, I told you I wasn’t going anywhere!”
New York, I told you I wasn’t going anywhere! #goyankees
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Nueva York, se lo dije que yo no iva para ningún lugar! #goyankees pic.twitter.com/gStR6ipR73— Aroldis Chapman (@AChapman_105) November 3, 2019
An MLB All-Star for the second consecutive year in 2019, Chapman posted a 2.21 ERA with 37 saves in 57 innings pitched. He also struck out 85 batters while only allowing three home runs.
Despite a great regular season, Chapman is responsible for allowing the blow that crushed the Bombers’ 2019 World Series hopes. Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve sent Chapman’s final pitch of 2019 over the fence for an ALCS-winning homer.
Now Chapman will have at least three years to try and atone for that mistake.
