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The Royals have agreed to a one-year deal with hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman, sources told MLB.com on Thursday.The club has not confirmed a deal, pending physicals due in the next few days.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that the deal is expected to be worth $3.75 million, including performance bonuses. Kansas City are hoping for a turnaround from Chapman, who was consistently known for his triple-digit speed early in his career.
But the 2022 season has been disastrous for the seven-time All-Star. On opening day, his 35-year-old Chapman posted some of the worst stats of his 13-year career, with multiple injury list stints and his team’s willingness to be his player. I was plagued with questions.
Chapman started the season scoreless in 12 games, but allowed at least one run in six straight games in May. Chapman was placed in a 15-day IL on May 24 with left Achilles tendonitis and missed the next six weeks, effectively losing the role of the Yanks approaching the 2022 All-Star Clay Holmes.
Chapman made another trip to IL in August due to a foot infection stemming from a tattoo.
He returned from that three-week absence to finish the regular season well, but was removed from the team’s ALDS roster after missing a mandatory team workout with no acceptable excuse.
Chapman also has a history off the field. In 2016, he was sentenced to 30 games under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy for allegedly strangling his then-22-year-old girlfriend and firing eight shots in the garage of his Florida home. received a suspension. He hasn’t been charged, and he’s pitched for the Yankees and Cubs ever since.
Chapman’s average four-seam fastball speed dropped to a career-low 97.5 mph last season, which contributed to his worst marks for strikeout rate (26.9%) and swing-strike rate (12.7%). His 17.5% walking percentage was his second highest in his career, and his 4.46 earned run average was the worst in nearly a full run.
Chapman finished the season with nine saves, his fewest during a full season since 2011. His 315 career saves rank him 24th in AL/NL history, the third-most among active pitchers, behind Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel. .
Chapman had attracted interest from several clubs across the league, including the Royals, Padres and Marlins. Kansas City’s targeted bullpen helped this offseason after last season’s ERA (4.66), the fourth-worst in the majors, and ranking last in the WHIP (1.48).
The Royals have signed low-risk relief to minor league deals like Nick Whittgren, but Chapman is the major league’s first bullpen win this winter. Head to Kansas City. Scott Barlow will return as the closer for the Royals, but the rest of the role, from middle relief to back-end arm, is wide open for spring training.
Chapman also gives the Royals a potential midseason trade candidate if he returns to form.
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