The Boston Red Sox have been the story of the last month in baseball, catching fire when it mattered most. A team that looked dead in the water for playoff contention is now right in the thick of things.
Saturday’s 4-0 shutout win over Pittsburgh kept that momentum rolling. More importantly for Aroldis Chapman, it triggered something that’s going to make him very happy come payday.
“The resilient Boston Red Sox push on despite their lengthy winning streaks being a thing of the past. The Red Sox shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-0, thanks to Sonny Gray and some late-game hitting on Saturday night,”
Boston.com’s Kaley Brown wrote.
Chapman’s been lights-out all season for Boston. The 38-year-old closer won AL Reliever of the Month for July after posting a ridiculous 0.75 ERA with 10 saves in 10 appearances.
That performance carried over into Saturday, where Chapman picked up another save. What makes this one special? It pushed him to 40 innings pitched for the season.
That milestone just triggered a $13 million vesting option for 2027.
“Aroldis Chapman has reached 40 IP in the 2026 season, triggering the vesting option for $13 million for 2027. At the conclusion of the season, Chapman will have a physical, after which the option will become official,”
MLB reporter Francys Romero wrote.
It’s a well-deserved payday for Chapman, who’s carrying a 2.04 ERA and 27 saves over 33 appearances this season. At his age, staying this dominant isn’t easy.
The Perfect Storm
What makes this even better for Chapman is the timing. The Red Sox are making a legitimate playoff push, and he’s been a huge part of getting them there. Bleacher Report’s Julia Stumbaugh noted how Chapman’s July performance helped solidify his role in Boston’s late-season surge.
The veteran closer has been everything the Red Sox hoped for when they brought him in. His experience in high-pressure situations is exactly what a team needs during a playoff race.
Now, assuming Chapman stays healthy and passes his physical at season’s end, he’s got that $13 million locked up for next year. Not bad for a guy who’s shown no signs of slowing down despite being on the wrong side of 35.
The Red Sox gambled on Chapman’s ability to perform when it matters most. So far, it’s paying off for everyone involved.
