Chapman Reflects on Yankees Experience, Rules Out Return

Aroldis Chapman recently shared his thoughts on possibly returning to the Yankees during a podcast discussion. His comments were particularly critical of how he felt treated by the team and its management during his tenure.

When asked about the prospect of rejoining the Yankees, Chapman firmly stated, “No way. He’s not even dead.” He elaborated that if he were to be traded back to New York, he would consider retiring immediately. “I’m not crazy. I’d never do it again,” he emphasized.

Fortunately for Chapman, a return to the Yankees doesn’t seem imminent. The 37-year-old closer has been rejuvenating his career with the Red Sox, having signed a $13.3 million extension for the 2026 season recently.

During his time with the Yankees, spanning seven seasons, Chapman made significant contributions. He was initially acquired from the Reds before the 2016 season and later traded to the Cubs, where he helped secure a World Series title. The Yankees brought him back in a five-year deal worth $86 million.

While Chapman’s tenure with the Yankees was largely positive, his last season in 2022 was troubled. He dealt with performance issues, spending a month sidelined due to an infection from a tattoo, which ultimately cost him his closer position.

His departure from the postseason roster stemmed from a peculiar situation where he was in Miami instead of participating in batting practice in the Bronx, leading to the Yankees deciding to remove him from playoff considerations.

Chapman voiced his feelings of disrespect during his time with the Yankees, stating, “I dealt with a lot of disrespect there.” He implied that the management wanted to find reasons to move on from him but felt unsure how they would go about it. “I quietly dealt with it and kept playing,” he noted.

He clarified that his issues weren’t with manager Aaron Boone or his teammates, mentioning that he had good relationships within the team. The real problem, he said, was with the higher-ups in the organization making those critical decisions.

With his career seemingly dwindling after stints with the Royals, Rangers, and Pirates, Chapman has recently enjoyed a resurgence. He finished the season strong, recording 32 saves and a remarkable 1.17 ERA, aiding the Red Sox in reaching the wild card and contributing to their series win against the Yankees.