Key Takeaways
- Matt Clement, former 87‑win pitcher, suggested on 93.7 The Fan that the Pittsburgh Pirates pursue Aroldis Chapman as a bullpen upgrade.
- Chapman, now 38 and closing for the Boston Red Sox, is off to a hot start: 8‑for‑8 in saves, a 0.79 ERA, and still routinely hits 101 mph.
- The Red Sox’s 17‑23 record has fueled trade speculation; Chapman could become available if Boston’s slump continues.
- The Pirates have shown they can protect leads (17‑3 when ahead after six innings, 18‑2 after seven, 18‑1 after eight) but have blown extra‑inning games and need a “hammer” in the late‑inning role.
- Acquiring Chapman would likely cost the Pirates a pair of top‑10 prospects and the prorated portion of his $13 million 2024 salary, plus a $13 million option for 2025 if he logs at least 40 innings.
- Clement believes Chapman’s presence—high‑velocity fastballs, electric walk‑up music, and a proven closer mentality—could provide the jolt the Pirates need to turn close games into wins.
Matt Clement, who enjoyed a solid big‑league career with 87 victories, floated an intriguing idea during his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan with Bob Pompeani and the host: the Pittsburgh Pirates should target Aroldis Chapman to bolster their bullpen. Clement framed the suggestion as a “dream” a few months out, but argued that the impact of bringing in a former flamethrower who still routinely tops 101 mph could be transformative for the club’s atmosphere and late‑game performance.
The Pirates’ relief corps, while not historically disastrous, has left room for improvement. Gregory Santana has been outstanding, but other arms—most notably Dennis Santana—have struggled with control, posting walk totals that nearly match their strikeout numbers. The unit’s volatility has shown up in extra‑inning losses, including games where Pittsburgh surrendered two‑run leads. Yet the team’s ability to hold leads is encouraging: they are 17‑3 when leading after six innings, 18‑2 after seven, and 18‑1 after eight. This suggests that a reliable closer could convert many of those advantageous situations into wins.
Chapman’s current numbers with the Red Sox make him an enticing target. Through the early part of the 2024 season he is a perfect 8‑for‑8 in save opportunities, sporting a microscopic 0.79 ERA. His strike‑out prowess remains elite; he recently retired Yordan Alvarez—widely regarded as the best hitter in baseball this year—on a swing‑and‑miss that looked effortless. Though his walk rate has crept up slightly over the years, Chapman still issues few free passes, maintaining the dominance that made him a perennial All‑Star and World Series champion.
Boston’s rough start (17‑23) has already sparked trade chatter around their roster, and Chapman’s name is among those mentioned. Analysts such as FanSided’s Christopher Kline project that the Red Sox could move as many as four relievers this season, noting they have other talented arms ready to step into high‑leverage spots. Kline speculated a potential deal in which the Chicago Cubs would send their No. 6 and No. 8 prospects to Boston for Chapman. The Pirates, possessing a comparable pipeline of top‑10 talent, could match or exceed that offer.
Financially, acquiring Chapman would involve assuming the prorated portion of his $13 million salary for the remainder of 2024, plus a $13 million club option for 2025 that vests if he logs at least 40 innings. Given the Pirates’ current payroll flexibility and their contention aspirations, this cost appears manageable, especially if the prospect package is limited to a couple of high‑ceiling players.
Clement believes Chapman’s intangible qualities could be just as valuable as his statistics. The image of a 101 mph fastball blazing in, accompanied by a signature walk‑up song, could ignite the home crowd and provide a psychological boost to the team. In his words, Chapman’s arrival could serve as a “rallying cry” that turns close contests into victories, especially in those extra‑inning situations where Pittsburgh has recently faltered.
In sum, while the Pirates are not in crisis, their bullpen lacks a definitive shutdown piece. Aroldis Chapman, still capable of overpowering hitters at an advanced age, offers both immediate performance and a potential cultural spark. If the Red Sox decide to move on from their struggling closer, the Pirates—armed with a couple of top‑tier prospects and willing to absorb Chapman’s salary—should seriously pursue the trade, turning a intriguing rumor into a concrete upgrade for their late‑inning arsenal.