The Boston Red Sox signed a star reliever to a one-year, $10.75 million deal, hoping that a fresh start would help him get his career back on track. At a very important time, the move promised to keep their bullpen stable. Instead, it has given him something much more dramatic: a public rebuke that gets to the heart of what went wrong during his time with the New York Yankees.

Aroldis Chapman is a 37-year-old closer who played for the New York Yankees for the last few seasons before leaving. Chapman has made an amazing comeback in Boston, with a 1.17 ERA over 61.1 innings in 2025. His fastball is getting close to 100 mph again, his control has gotten better, and it looks like the Red Sox coaching staff has given him back the mental edge he lost when he played for the Yankees.

This week, Chapman appeared on the “Swing Completo” podcast and made his feelings about a potential Yankees reunion unmistakably clear. “No way. Not even dead,” Chapman stated, as reported through social media. “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.” His comments show how bad his relationship with the Yankees has become. This partnership used to define his career, but in the end, it made him feel left out and undervalued.

Chapman’s harsh words are similar to what other top players have said in the past few years. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. famously said in 2023 that he would not sign with the Yankees “dead or alive” before signing a 14-year, $500 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Guerrero Jr., like Chapman, thought the organization was a bad place to work, even though it had a lot of resources. For the Yankees, seeing Chapman do well in Boston while they looked for other options like Devin Williams and David Bednar is a painful reminder of what their bullpen could have been if they had made different management choices.

Yankees turn to Cody Bellinger to repair postseason wounds

Chapman is doing well in Boston, but the Yankees are dealing with their own postseason disappointment and the need to fix their roster quickly. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees in four games in the ALDS, showing that there are some basic weaknesses that General Manager Brian Cashman needs to fix. The loss has turned attention to free agency, where the Yankees have made it clear that their top priority is to sign Cody Bellinger.

Even though they lost in the playoffs, Cashman is not making big changes. Jon Heyman of The New York Post says that the organization has made Bellinger a top priority to sign.“The Yankees are making a return for Cody Bellinger a priority. But there is work to be done,” Heyman reported. “Bellinger, a free agent for a third time before he turns 30, is coming off an excellent year (and three straight, very good ones) and is unencumbered by a qualifying offer. He will be seeking that long deal he’s yet to receive.” 

Bellinger’s performance in 2025 proves that New York is interested. The outfielder hit. 272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 5.0 bWAR. Heyman also said that Bellinger’s preferences match what the Yankees want to do, which is more important. “Bellinger told The Post his priority is to play for a winner. Others close to him suggest he loved his Yankees experience,” the reporter wrote.

Cashman is looking for players who can compete right away, and his ability to play both center field and first base fills defensive holes that hurt New York in the playoffs. This sets him apart from other options like Kyle Tucker.