On Wednesday night, Major League Baseball continued handing out awards, naming the winners of the Cy Young award and Reliever of the Year award as voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. 

Toronto Blue Jays closer Louis Varland took home Reliever of the Year honors in the American League, with Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith and Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker finishing second and third, respectively. 

However, further down the ballot was Boston Red Sox All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, who received one second-place vote, three third-place votes, eight fourth-place votes, and seven fifth-place votes, finishing fourth. Reliever Garrett Whitlock received one second-place vote and two fifth-place votes, finishing ninth. 

Chapman and Whitlock led the way in a Red Sox bullpen that finished the year with a 3.00 ERA, the best mark in baseball. 

In 51.2 innings, Chapman posted a 1.92 ERA, the 10th-lowest mark among all qualified relievers, while his 35 saves were the fifth-most in baseball. It was a historic 17th big-league season for the 38-year-old flamethrower, as he became the all-time reliever strikeout king, surpassing Hall of Famer Hoyt Wilhelm. Chapman also rose to ninth on the all-time saves leaderboard, passing former Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan and former Red Sox pitcher and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley with 402 career saves. 

After pitching more than 40 innings and passing his end-of-season physical, Chapman vested his 2027 option, which will pay him $13 million. He will also receive an additional $250,000 for finishing fourth in Reliever of the Year voting. 

Whitlock made 54 regular-season appearances, setting up Chapman and posting a 1.72 ERA, the sixth-lowest mark among 143 qualified relievers. In addition to the impressive ERA, Whitlock ranked 12th among all relievers in win probability added, with 2.73.  

In 104 innings, the duo allowed only 21 earned runs, for a 1.82 ERA. After Whitlock saw his $8.25 million club option picked up, the pair will be back in 2027, once again as one of the sport's best bullpen duos. 

Whitlock and Chapman join Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, and Chad Tracy as Red Sox players (and managers) recognized in the BBWAA voting. The team also had a trio of Gold Glove winners: Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Caleb Durbin, each taking home the award at their respective positions.  

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, the GM Meetings' worst-kept secret is the Red Sox's desire to move on from left fielder Jarren Duran. The 30-year-old hit .207/.266/.361/.627 with 20 home runs, 15 doubles, and five triples, driving in 69 runs in 151 games in 2026.

Also, according to Abraham, the Red Sox have inquired about free agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The 32-year-old hit .270/.368/.473/.841 with 26 home runs, 31 doubles, and drove in 86 runs in 143 games for the Chicago Cubs.