The Red Sox closer told Swing Completo that he'd rather retire than play for his former team ever again, adding he wouldn't even play for them if he were dead.
A really good way to endear yourself to Red Sox fans:
Have a career-low 1.17 ERA in your first season as the team’s closer while posting a career-best 3.5 WAR at age 37 after joining the team as an afterthought in free agency early in the hot stove season
Another really good way to endear yourself to Red Sox fans:
Say you hate the Yankees with every fiber of your being.
Boston closer Aroldis Chapman has officially done both of these things, per Swing Completo on Instagram.
Here’s the English translation of what he said when asked if he’d ever play for the Yankees again:
“No way. Not even dead. If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again…I dealt with a lot of disrespect there.”
Obviously disappointing to hear that Chapman dealt with enough disrespect while in New York that he’d opt to end his career instead of playing there again, but bravo, Chappy! That’s how you add fuel to the fire of a rivalry ready to rejoin the ranks among the best in all of sports once again! I love it!
From Boston’s dominance over New York during the 2025 regular season to New York’s demoralizing two-game comeback against Boston in the wild card round, there was already enough meat on the bone for this thing to start getting back to the level we were at towards the turn of the millennium. Add in the epic battles Garrett Crochet had with Aaron Judge throughout the season, and this thing was ready for primetime again.
Now we have these comments from Chapman, who will be in Boston for at least one more year after signing a $13.3 million extension with the Red Sox in September. That deal also has a vesting option that could keep the fringe Hall of Fame reliever in Boston through the 2027 season.
Chapman spent parts of seven seasons with the Yankees (2016, 2017-22), where he made the All-Star Game three times and was named the American League Reliever of the Year in 2019. That season, Chapman had a 2.21 ERA with 37 saves across 57.0 innings pitched, allowing just 3 home runs while striking out 85. When Chapman was on the mound in pinstripes, it was terrifying. He fully fit the mold of the Evil Empire.
Three years post-Yankees, and Chapman is now a beloved member of their biggest rival. And after his comments to Swing Completo, it doesn’t feel like he’ll be getting an invite to Monument Park any time soon.
Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.