Aroldis Chapman agrees to 1-year deal with NL team

Apr 24, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) looks on in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Aroldis Chapman is officially headed to his fourth team in two years.

MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided reported Monday that the veteran relief pitcher Chapman has agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates in free agency. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that it will be a one-year deal worth $10.5 million for Chapman.

A seven-time MLB All-Star, Chapman was one of the biggest names left on the reliever market. Though he will turn 36 next month, the lefty Chapman was productive last season in 61 total appearances between Kansas City and Texas (winning the World Series with the latter). He went 6-5 in the regular season with a 3.09 ERA and a jaw-dropping 15.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

With 321 career saves to his name, Chapman will immediately become one of the most senior members of the Pittsburgh bullpen. He appears to have gotten past some of the issues that plagued him at previous stops, and the one-year contract for Chapman also means that the Pirates can use him as trade bait if the flier does not work out.