Ex-Yankees All-Star Closer Being Pursued By Mets

usatsi_21795633-1

A familiar face could be returning to the big apple, but not with the New York Yankees.

As SNY insider Andy Martino reported on Monday, the New York Mets have shown interest in former Yankees star closer Aroldis Chapman.

However, Martino noted that Chapman might not be the best fit for the Mets.

Chapman spent seven seasons with the Yankees from 2016-2022. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs at the 2016 trade deadline in the deal that netted the Yankees a future star in Gleyber Torres.

After helping the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, the Yankees re-signed Chapman to a record-setting contract at the time for a reliever, inking him to a five-year, $86 million deal.

While Chapman was one of the game’s best closers for most of his Yankee career, his time in pinstripes did not end well, as he missed a mandatory postseason workout in 2022 and was left off the roster as a result.

In 2023, Chapman bounced-back with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers with a 3.09 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 61 appearances. The hard-throwing lefty helped the Rangers win the World Series in October.

While Chapman’s best days are behind him, he is still a serviceable high-leverage arm and could be a boost to the Mets’ bullpen.

Although the Yankees, who also need bullpen help, haven’t shown interest in a reunion with Chapman, they have spoken with the representatives of righty Hector Neris and lefty Wandy Peralta, per Martino.