MIAMI, United States. — After several months in free agency, Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman already has a team: it is the Kansas City Royals, franchise of the American League Central Division.
The 34-year-old left-hander signed last Thursday for one season and $3.75 million, plus bonuses based on his performance, he reported in social media reporter Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
In this way, the pitcher will have the opportunity to relaunch his career in the Major Leagues after a disastrous 2022. It should be noted that the fire extinguisher not only lost his position as closer in the New York Yankees, but was also excluded from the roster for the Division Series against the Cleveland Rangers for “conduct issues.”
Last season was one of the worst of Chapman’s career, who posted a 4.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 28 walks in just 36.1 innings of work.
At the moment, the news has not changed the projection of the Holguin metrics too much. For 2023, the specialized website Baseball Reference anticipates a 4-4 mark for the Cuban with a 3.86 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 25 walks, 1.30 WHIP and 10 saves in 49 innings of work with the Royals.
However, the Missouri franchise expects the best version of Chapman, which would even allow a change of destination for the Cuban in the event that one of the competing franchises wants to strengthen their pitching staff.
Despite not being through his prime, Chapman has a successful career in the Major Leagues, which includes seven All-Star Game invites and an American League Reliever of the Year award.
Since his arrival in the Big Top, the Cuban, who won the 2016 World Series with the Chicago Cubs, has posted a 2.48 ERA, 44 wins, 315 saves, 1,045 strikeouts and 318 walks in 640 innings of work.
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