Pittsburgh Pirates reliever among top free agents

Few relievers have been more electrifying throughout their careers than Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Aroldis Chapman.

Now the left-handed flamethrower could be poised to capitalize on further success this offseason. Baseball America listed its top 10 relievers set to become free agents after this season and placed Chapman at No. 4.

“Over the past two seasons, Chapman has thrown 120 innings and struck out over 200 batters,” writes Baseball America. “With a K% rate of almost 40%, he has already demonstrated his still elite skills in the second half of his 30s. His command comes and goes, and he hasn’t posted an ERA below 3.00 in five years, but he’s an elite strikeout artist and it looks like he’ll remain one as long as he pitches.”

Chapman trailed only New York Yankees reliever and former Pirates reliever Clay Holmes, San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott and Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman.

Chapman, 36, signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with Pittsburgh last offseason. He went 5-5 with a 3.79 ERA over 61.2 innings in 68 appearances and struck out 98 batters, setting a franchise record for strikeouts by a left-handed relief pitcher.

His 68 appearances were the most of his career, coming in 2012 and 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds. He also struck out 39 batters, the second most in his 15-year career.

Chapman’s skill set and ability to perform as a builder or closer will likely make him a sought-after player this offseason. Pittsburgh isn’t necessarily in a position to lose an arm of Chapman’s caliber after the bullpen finished 27th in ERA and was third in most missed saves and second in lost leads in the ninth inning.

While Chapman could certainly be part of the solution if the Pirates add a few more arms to the bullpen, the chances that they would be willing to engage in a bidding war for his services given the franchise’s track record are far-fetched at best.

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