Miami Marlins are pursuing Aroldis Chapman

The Miami Marlins are pursuing former New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman in free agency. The Fish already have a pretty good and underrated closer actually, but Dylan Floro could use some help.. a former All-Star closer could be just the help that The Fish's bullpen needs. Is it a good idea to sign the South Florida resident? Should his personal issues in the past make that signing undesirable?? Let's take a look at the possibility of Aroldis Chapman pitching for the Miami Marlins...

The Miami Marlins are pursuing Aroldis Chapman.

Aroldis Chapman has been one of the best relief pitchers in the game throughout his career. The former top prospect pitched from 2010 to 2015 with the Cincinnati Reds. During that time, he pitched to a 2.17 ERA/1.97 FIP with 15.4 K/9, 4.4 BB/9 and 146 saves in 324 games and 319.0 innings. This impressive performance put him on the list of the best closers in the game. A domestic abuse accusation and subsequent suspension changed his career. He was suspended for 30 days and Cincinnati barely got enough in a trade with the New York Yankees.

Chapman only pitched half a season in New York, producing a 2.01 ERA/1.93 FIP in 31 games and 31.1 innings pitched. At the trading deadline New York traded him to the Chicago Cubs, where he won the World Series after a 1.01 ERA/0.82 FIP in 28 games and 26.2 innings pitched finish to the season. After the season, he returned to the New York Yankees as a free agent. From 2017 to 2021 he pitched to a 2.82 ERA/2.76 FIP in 241 games and 226.2 innings pitched. He had 14.5 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 along with 124 saves.

The 2022 season was a disaster for Aroldis Chapman, who pitched to a 4.46 ERA/4.57 FIP with 10.7 K/9 and 6.9 BB/9 and 9 saves in 43 games and 36.1 innings pitched. He actually lost his closing job that season. He's now a free agent and will be 35 when the season begins. Should the Miami Marlins sign him? It depends on whether or not he can find his old form again. He can likely be had on a 1 year deal for less than $10 million.