Aroldis Chapman Triggers Option in Contract in Win Over Pirates

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Saturday night to even up the series at PNC Park at one game apiece. Boston All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman locked down the win, tossing a scoreless ninth inning, eclipsing 40 innings pitched this year in the process and triggering a clause in his contract that all but guarantees he will remain in a Red Sox uniform for the 2027 season. 

Chapman signed a one-year, $13 million extension with Boston in August of 2025, with a mutual option for the 2027 season that became a guaranteed year worth $13 million, contingent on pitching 40 innings in 2026 and passing an end-of-year physical; the former of which vested in Saturday's victory. 

The 38-year-old has been a revelation since arriving in Boston prior to the 2025 season, posting a 1.50 ERA while being one of the most valuable relievers in baseball with a win probability added of 5.67, the second-highest mark among all relief pitchers. 

Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman(44) reacts after the game during the ninth inning for the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

In 2026, Chapman has once again been one of the best closers in baseball, posting a 1.99 ERA while holding batters to a .205 batting average and locking down 27 of his 29 save opportunities en route to the ninth All-Star Game appearance of his career.

The 38-year-old has also found himself climbing up the pantheon of all-time great relievers, passing Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm for the most strikeouts for a reliever in major league history in Boston's 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on July 3. Chapman has also climbed the all-time saves leaderboard twice in 2026, first logging his 378th career save, passing former Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan for the 10th most saves of all time, then surpassing former Red Sox pitcher and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for ninth all time with the 391st save of his career in Boston's July 25 win over the Blue Jays. 

Jul 24, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) reacts after throwing the final strike of the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Now, barring a failed physical at the conclusion of the Red Sox 2026 season, he will continue to make his case for Cooperstown in a Red Sox uniform. 

Up next for the Sox

The Red Sox will look to snap a two-series losing streak and salvage a 3-4 road trip in Sunday's rubber match from PNC Park. Patrick Sandoval (1-1, 3.30 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.88 ERA) for Pittsburgh. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET.