Mets Rumors: Aroldis Chapman Discussed $8M Contract Before $10.5M Pirates Deal

The New York Mets and left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman were discussing a deal in the $8 million range before the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him for $10.5 million, per Andy Martino of SNY.

"The bullpen group carries more upside, though it would have been even better if the team had landed Aroldis Chapman to set up Edwin Diaz. Per league sources, the Mets and Chapman were discussing a potential deal in the approximately $8 million range before Chapman signed with Pittsburgh for $10.5 million."

The 36-year-old Chapman, a seven-time All-Star, pitched for the Kansas City Royals before landing with the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers last season. He finished the 2023 campaign with a 6-5 record, a 3.09 ERA (1.25 WHIP) and 103 strikeouts in 58.1 innings.

Chapman would have served as the setup man for closer Edwin Diaz with the Mets. Instead, he'll fill that role in Pittsburgh in support of closer David Bednar, who is coming off a 31-save campaign.

Chapman joined the bigs in 2010 with the Cincinnati Reds before becoming their closer in 2012. He maintained the closer role for the Reds, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees from 2012-2022. During his last year in that stretch, Chapman lost his closing job to Clay Holmes en route to a career-worst season (4.46 ERA).

However, he enjoyed a nice career resurrection with the Royals, posting a 2.45 ERA in 31 games. The surging Rangers then traded for Chapman for the stretch run.

He posted a 2.25 ERA (1.50 WHIP) in nine playoff appearances en route to winning his second-ever World Series. His first occurred in 2016, when the Chicago Cubs added him from the Yankees for their stretch run en route to their first World Series since 1908.