According to various press reports, including the official website of the Kansas City Royals, they are ready to sign Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, seven times All-Star, for one year.
The left-hander, a 2016 World Series champion with the Cubs, will earn a base salary of $3.75 million but could earn $4 million more in performance bonuses.
Chapman, who turns 35 in February, was for more than a decade one of the most feared closers in major league baseball. From 2010 to 2020, he made 563 appearances with the Reds, Cubs and Yankees with a 2.25 ERA and 276 saves.
His 11.5% walk rate, combined with an incredible 41.2% strikeout rate, confirmed it. In 2021, however, his unsteadiness seemed to deepen as he walked 15.6% of the hitters he faced. At the same time, he posted a 39.9% strikeout rate, but his 3.36 ERA was his highest in a season since 2011. Last year his walk rate jumped to 17.5% and he only struck out 26.9% of hitters faced. That last number was still above average, but it was a big drop from his previous form.
On the other hand, Chapman earned the disapproval of many fans when an accusation of domestic violence led to his 30-game suspension. More recently, he also drew the ire of many Yankees fans by missing time due to a tattoo infection, among other issues.
Despite everything, the fact of being part of the Top-25 of pitchers with the most games saved (315) in the history of the Major Leagues, aroused the interest of some clubs, including the Padres and the Marlins. But, ultimately, the Kansas City Royals have opted for the Cuban left-hander following the line of incorporating veteran pitchers such as Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland and Wade Davis.
