Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman at the MLB Awards show. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)Christopher Smith
Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman had comments go viral last month, telling the “Swing Completo” podcast that he would rather retire than play for the Yankees again.
But Chapman said Thursday that he made those comments a while back and they just resurfaced via social media. So they weren’t fueled by now being on the Red Sox’ side of the rivalry.
“That was like two years ago, the day that it was filmed,” Chapman said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez at a red carpet event before the MLB Awards show at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “But definitely happy to be here and definitely happy to play for Boston.”
Chapman is expected to win his second Mariano Rivera award tonight. It goes to the American League’s best reliever. He also earned the award in 2019 while pitching for the Yankees.
The 37-year-old posted a 1.17 ERA, 1.73 FIP and 0.70 WHIP in 67 outings. He converted 32 of his 34 save opportunities and held opponents to a .132 batting average.
“It means a lot,” Chapman said. “All the hard work that we put in in the offseason. It’s been a long time since I won it. … So all the hard work that we put in, those are the accomplishments at the end of the year that you get for working hard.”
Chapman is 12th all-time in saves with 367. Kenley Jansen (476) and Craig Kimbrel (440) are the only two active pitchers with more. The lefty said it means a lot to him to be in the same category with some of the game’s all-time great closers.
“It matters. Of course it matters,” he said. “To help the team win, to be able to post in games obviously matters. And obviously I’m happy with the career that I’ve had so far. But when I retire, I want to look back and be more happy than I am right now.”
In August, Chapman signed a $13.3 million extension to pitch for the Red Sox again in 2026.
Chapman said it’s nice to know where he’ll be playing next year instead of dealing with free agency like he did the past three offseasons.
“Now you take that out of the equation … Just focus on working hard,” he said.
Chapman said the Red Sox didn’t mention to him during his contract negotiations how aggressive they wanted to be to improve the team for ‘26. He hopes they will be aggressive.
“Maybe if we bring in a starter, bullpen arm and a power hitter or contact hitter, I think that will be OK,” Chapman said.
Throughout this week at the GM Meetings in Vegas, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has discussed his desire to add a No. 2 starter and at least one power hitter.
“We’ve got to be better, plain and simple. There’s no excuse for where we are right now. We need to hold ourselves accountable and make the necessary changes, because this isn’t acceptable.”
— Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres Forward
Buffalo Sabres fans, brace yourselves: change is coming. After yet another brutal defeat — a 5-2 loss to Utah followed by a 6-2 drubbing by the Colorado Avalanche — it’s clear that this team is nowhere near the contender they were supposed to be this season. And for fans who’ve waited 14 years for a playoff spot, the latest string of losses is a hard pill to swallow. With Buffalo’s record now at a dismal
Sabres in Crisis Mode: A Season on the Brink
The loss to the Avalanche capped off a disastrous five-game losing streak, with
The truth is, the Sabres have been in this situation for far too long. The fans are fed up, and even the players are starting to admit what’s been painfully obvious:
The End of the Line for Adams and Ruff?
At this point, there is no denying that accountability must fall on both
As Tuch stated, “There’s no excuse for where we are right now.” The Sabres have been left behind in a rapidly advancing NHL, and with another playoff-less season on the horizon, it’s time for ownership to act.
The Roster Shake-Up: Who’s Safe and Who’s Not?
But it’s not just the front office and coaching staff that needs to change. With this current Sabres team showing no signs of getting it together, nearly
The Sabres need to shed their past — and that means moving out players who aren’t contributing to the rebuild. It’s a painful reality, but every player needs to be held accountable
for this team’s continued failure. It’s no longer about potential or promises — it’s about delivering results, and if you’re not part of the solution, you’ll be part of the problem.
Buffalo’s Road to Redemption: How to Fix the Sabres?
So, what now for Buffalo? The road to redemption starts with tough decisions. Kevyn Adams will need to make bold moves to reshape the roster, bringing in fresh talent to bolster the lineup. The Sabres’ defense needs a complete overhaul, and the goaltending situation is looking more desperate by the day. The team can no longer afford to let mediocrity slip by — it’s time to build a
This won’t be an easy fix, but with the right moves, Buffalo could finally start to dig itself out of this hole. The fans deserve a competitive team, and the Sabres owe it to themselves to deliver.
Can the Sabres Turn It Around?
There’s no sugar-coating it — the Sabres’ current path is not sustainable. Another year of misery for Buffalo fans will simply not do. As the Sabres face the harsh reality of their worst season in recent memory, one thing is clear:
The time for change is now — and for the first time in years, it feels like the Sabres have no choice but to start fresh.