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At 37, most MLB closers are winding down their careers, but Aroldis Chapman has experienced a remarkable resurgence with the Boston Red Sox. The veteran closer transformed from a questionable signing into one of baseball’s most effective relievers this season. His improvement reportedly traces back to a spring training moment involving catcher Connor Wong and the PitchCom system—a story that has drawn both praise and skepticism.
The debate intensified when James Vincent Michale O’Brien (Jomboy) challenged the narrative surrounding Chapman’s turnaround, questioning whether ESPN’s account was accurate. His concerns centered on the core claim that a PitchCom call for an “inside fastball” from Wong changed how a 15-year veteran approached pitching. The skepticism raised questions about whether the story represented genuine insight or embellished reporting, suggesting that multiple respected baseball figures would need to be involved in creating a false narrative for millions of fans.
ESPN’s Buster Olney responded to the criticism on the Baseball Tonight Podcast by defending his reporting and sources. “What he’s really saying is that because he doesn’t know the background of this story, Alex Cora, Jason Varitek, and Aroldis Chapman were in on this elaborate ruse in two languages to deceive Eduardo Perez and me,” Olney stated on Baseball Tonight. “That Eduardo and I are too naïve to flesh out a prank. That’s what he’s suggesting here that the story isn’t true.” He detailed how the story originated from a meeting with Red Sox manager Alex Cora before a Sunday night game. “So we’re in our meeting with Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, before the Sunday night game. And I mean, Aroldis Chapman’s command this year has been amazing,”
Olney recounted. “And so Eduardo asked Alex Cora, Why has his command gotten so much better? And Alex looks at it, so he smiles. He goes, man, it’s kind of one of those crazy things he goes in spring training.” Olney continued describing Cora’s explanation: “Connor Wong is using the PitchCom device, and how Aroldis came back to the dugout. And he was like, man, to hear that, like something clicked in for, and then he’s like inside fastball, outside fastball. And he loves that. It sort of got his brain in this space where he could throw strikes.” The ESPN insider added that direct confirmation came from Chapman himself: “So we come out of that meeting and Eduardo goes up to Aroldis Chapman and asks him about this whole thing. And Aroldis goes, yeah, like, man, this all clicked in.”
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA Pittsburgh Pirates at Boston Red Sox Aug 31, 2025 Boston, Massachusetts, USA Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman 44 pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Boston Fenway Park Massachusetts USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEricxCanhax 20250831_sns_qe2_00114
So a call on the PitchCom device regarding inside and outside fastball changed Chapman’s career trajectory? Olney says Yes! The numbers back his account with stunning clarity. Chapman entered Tuesday with a 1.00 ERA in 59 games and has not allowed a base hit in 11 August appearances, posting 77 strikeouts against just 14 walks across 54 innings. Manager Alex Cora watched the metamorphosis firsthand, describing how Chapman’s newfound precision turned a struggling veteran into Boston’s ninth-inning savior. The transformation wasn’t just statistical—teammates witnessed a pitcher who finally understood that aiming beats raw power. Chapman’s late-career renaissance proves that sometimes the simplest adjustments create the most extraordinary results.
With those dominant numbers in hand, Chapman faced a career-defining choice this winter. His remarkable resurgence had positioned him perfectly for one final lucrative contract on the open market.
Aroldis Chapman Picks Red Sox Family Over Free Agent Fortune
Those spectacular numbers positioned Chapman perfectly for a massive payday this winter, but the closer had other plans. After dominating with 28 saves and that remarkable 1.00 ERA, Chapman could have tested free agency and likely sparked a bidding war among desperate teams needing ninth-inning help.
Chapman himself acknowledged the temptation when speaking Monday morning through Red Sox translator Carlos Villoria Benitez. “Yeah, of course you think about it,” Chapman admitted when asked about potentially hitting free agency. The 37-year-old veteran was refreshingly candid about weighing his options, especially after riding an incredible streak where he didn’t surrender a hit in his final 16 outings dating back to July 26.
Instead of chasing maximum dollars elsewhere, Chapman stunned the baseball world by signing a contract extension with the Boston Red Sox through 2026, worth a guaranteed $13.3 million plus a mutual option for 2027. “But I wanted to stay here and we started having conversations,” Chapman explained, revealing how quickly negotiations progressed once both sides expressed mutual interest.
The decision came down to more than money for the veteran closer. “The chemistry that we have here is unique,” Chapman said. “We’re very together on and off the field. Also, the coaching staff and the medical staff, and the trainers made the decision easier for me to want to stay here.” Sometimes, finding the perfect organizational fit proves more valuable than the highest bidder’s offer.
Chapman’s remarkable revival story remains hotly debated, but his dominant performance speaks louder than any controversy. Whether skeptics believe it or not, the results are undeniable.
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