Aroldis Chapman Chooses Surprise Location To Continue Career

After seven consecutive years in the spotlight with the New York Yankees and the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs, once-vaunted closer Aroldis Chapman has chosen a surprising location to try to rejuvenate his career. 

Aroldis Chapman has agreed to sign with the Royals, per @Feinsand pic.twitter.com/2yOBuvw46M

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 19, 2023

It's a one-year, $3.75M deal, plus performance bonuses, per Mark Feinsand of mlb.com. 

The Kansas City Royals were one of three teams tied to the Cuban Missile in recent days, along with the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres. But it's the Royals who come out on top. 

Chapman, entering his age-35 season, has 315 career saves over a 13-year career, with seven All-Star appearances, and eight seasons with at least 30 saves, most recently in 2021. But he lost the closer's job for the Yankees in 2022 after a disastrous May through July. 

Late in September, things got even more bizarre, when he went missing as the Yankees were trying to lock in their postseason roster. Chapman was left out of the playoff festivities.

Now out of the spotlight, the fireballing reliever will try to recapture his dominant form. But he'll need to get the walks under control: He handed out 6.9 free passes per nine innings last season. 

Chapman has a career 2.48 ERA with a ridiculous 14.7 K/9.

Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports