TORONTO – Aroldis Chapman believes the Yankees owes him an apology. It doesn’t sound like one is coming anytime soon.
Speaking about the possibility of being traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees, Chapman told ESPN Deportes’ Enrique Rojas that he would need to clear the air regarding the circumstances of his 2022 exit.
“What happened, happened,” Chapman said. “If something like this were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first.”
According to the ESPN Deportes report, Chapman was asked if general manager Brian Cashman was that “someone,” to which he replied, “Yes.”
The Yankees are expected to seek bullpen help ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.
Though Chapman has been among the Majors’ most dominant relievers, owning a 0.46 ERA and 13 saves in 20 appearances entering Saturday, another Chapman reunion with the Yankees appears to be a long-shot hypothetical at this stage.
The hard-throwing left-hander previously pitched for the Yankees in 2016, helped the Cubs win the World Series after a July trade, then re-signed with New York ahead of the 2017 season. He posted a 2.93 ERA in 315 games with New York, logging 153 saves, a tenure marked by high-profile playoff failures.
In October 2022, Chapman was left off the Yankees’ postseason roster after being absent for a mandatory workout at Yankee Stadium ahead of the American League Division Series. Chapman claimed the team gave him permission to go home to Miami.
It was the final act of a disappointing season in which he posted a 4.46 ERA and nine saves in 43 appearances, losing the closer’s role to Clay Holmes. Chapman also missed time that year due to a severe left leg infection stemming from a tattoo.
Cashman said then that there were “some questions about whether he’s been all-in or not for a little while.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he stands by how the organization handled the end of Chapman’s 2022 season.
"At the end of the day, he wasn't at the workout,” Boone said. “I made the decision based on a lot of things and thought to leave him off because I thought that was the right thing to do for our club at the time. Chappy apologized and, really, it's water under the bridge for me.
“I love Chappy. I have a really good relationship with him to this day, but the ending of the 2022 season is what it was. He wasn't there, and I made the decision that I didn't think it was best for him to come back at that point.”
With Chapman remaining in Miami, the Yankees edged the Guardians in a five-game ALDS, then were swept by the Astros in the AL Championship Series.
Chapman revived his career with the Royals, Rangers and Pirates before appearing on the American League All-Star team with Boston in 2025. Last year, he told the ‘Swing Completo’ podcast that he has no interest in returning to the Yankees.
“No way,” Chapman said. “If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”