New York Yankees fans aren’t too thrilled about even the thought of Aroldis Chapman returning to the closer role.
The reaction from the fans came after the left-hander threw a one-two-three inning today and struck out three batters.
But despite the smooth outing today, Chapman has been struggling for a while now and has lost his closer job.
Worse yet, he may not even make the postseason roster.
However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said “today helps,” after Chapman’s outing on Tuesday.
Since 2016, Chapman has been in the Yankees organization.
He was first acquired in a trade and then was dealt at the trade deadline to the Chicago Cubs since he was on an expiring contract and the Yankees weren’t in a playoff position at the time.
After winning a world series with the Cubs, Chapman inked a five-year, $86 million deal with the Yankees.
In Chapman’s first year with the Yankees in 2016, his earned run average sat at just 2.01.
Then in the following three years with the team, his ERA was 3.22, 2.45 and 2.21 respectively.
However, he has gotten worse since then.
This year, the 34-year-old’s ERA has jumped up to 4.58.
Yankees fans have had it with Chapman.
But the shoulder injury to closer Clay Holmes and Chapman’s performance on Tuesday has fans worried.
One tweeted, “Chapman needs to be DFA’d, but he will probably get a playoff roster spot and be the closer. I never want to see him on the mound in pinstripes again!!!!”
Another said: “You might not like him. I may not like him but Aroldis Chapman will probably be OUR closer in the ALDS.”
And one more said: “Aroldis Chapman being the closer in October is going to ruin my life lol.”
Here are some other reactions from Yankees fans:
Going forward, Boone said that he will “mix and match” out of the pen for the closer and set up man roles in the postseason.
And Yankees fans will anxiously hope that Chapman isn’t a part of that.
Chapman’s contract expires at the end of the season.
He is making $18 million in his final year.
