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Aroldis Chapman played a major role in the New York Yankees’ resurgence in the late 2010s, as he was the man the team called out of the bullpen to close out games.
But Chapman’s failure to eliminate the Houston Astros in the 2019 American League Championship Series will forever be etched in the minds of Yankees fans. It would be unlikely they would want him back in the bullpen, regardless of his comments on Monday.
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2017 ALCS baseball playoff series at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2017. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
The two-time World Series champion told the Spanish-language “Swing Completo” podcast that he would “retire right away” if he was sent back to the Yankees.
“No way. Not even dead,” he said via the New York Post. “If I was told I was being traded to New York, I would pack my bags and go home. If that happens, I will retire immediately. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
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Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44), relief pitcher, throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees in the first game of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Chapman explained that he felt “a lot of disrespect” while playing in the Bronx. He said he got along well with the players and manager Aaron Boone, but had a problem with the way the “bosses” went about their business.
“I got on well with all the players, I never had any problems with anyone, even the manager. We are friends and we talk and everything,” he said. “It’s the bosses who make these decisions.”
He pitched for the Yankees from 2017-2022.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) pitches against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on September 14, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)
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Chapman won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023. He pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2025. He had a 1.17 ERA with 85 strikeouts.
He will be 38 years old before the start of the 2026 season.
