To the shock of absolutely everybody, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first eight figure deal this offseason went to a bullpen piece, and of all the pen arms available it went to LHP Aroldis Chapman.
That is not a typo, nor is it a troll or some elaborate practical joke. Chapman and the Pirates agreed to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million yesterday, pending a physical. I wish I could hop in a time machine and tell me from ten years ago that this would happen.
Naturally there’s a lot to talk about and unpack, including that Chapman comes with some baggage.