PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A decade ago it’s something Pirates fans couldn’t think of doing, especially after August 3, 2012. Now Bucco fans will be cheering for Aroldis Chapman.
It was nearly a dozen years ago that Chapman hit McCutchen with a 98-mile-an-hour fastball in the upper shoulder with the Reds leading 3-0. McCutchen said he thought it was intentional and it seemed every Pirates at bat against the Cincinnati closer after that became personal.
Now Chapman and McCutchen are teammates for a second time, but this one in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth $10.5 million.
“Yeah, obviously, we had an incident going back to when I was with the Reds,” Chapman said through a translator on Wednesday. “But those are things that are part of life in baseball. You get caught up in the games. But from my time with him at the Yankees, I can say he’s an excellent person. He’s an excellent ballplayer. I’m glad I was able to build a relationship there with him.”
While Pirates fans will find it weird initially, considering the numbers, it’s better to have him on the team. In 49 career innings against the Pirates, Chapman has a 0.92 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. His ERA at PNC Park is even lower, 0.75.
He doesn’t come to Pittsburgh to assume the same role he had when he was in All-Star Games with the Reds. Chapman told reporters he hasn’t discussed a role and has no issue with whatever it is this season. The lefty did want to make one thing clear, David Bednar is the closer.
"I'll just stress that there is a very good closer so I am very flexible and I just want to help the team out so wherever they see fit to put me, I'm willing to help out," Chapman said.
“We got to chat a little bit (Chapman said of Bednar). What it left me with was wanting to get down to Spring Training so we can really kind of delve into things and get to spend more time with each other, chat some more, catch up. I think it’s going to be a really nice experience working in that bullpen with him.”
Chapman started last season with the Royals and was then traded to the Rangers, where he won a world championship. Overall in 2023, 61 games, 58.1 innings, 103 strikeouts, 36 walks, 3.09 ERA, 1.25 WHIP.
He will wear number 45 with the Pirates, the same number as with Texas last year. He wore 54 with the Reds, but it wasn’t available with the Rangers and switched to 45. He sticks with the new one because it’s part of his new start. The 35-year-old joins what he believes is a talented Pirates team once again, playing in a ballpark he said he loves.
“It’s a young team,” Chapman said. “They seem really thirsty to win. I’m an athlete that likes to compete. Being here with a team that really wants to get into this division race and start winning is good for me.”
And now seeing Aroldis Chapman back in PNC Park is good for the Pirates.