Aroldis Chapman: I'd rather retire than play for Yankees again

Hard-throwing left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman is dead set against re-signing with the New York Yankees.

Literally.

"No way, not even dead," Chapman said when asked if he'd consider joining the Yankees during an appearance on the "Swing Completo" podcast, as translated from Spanish.

"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."

Chapman, 37, fared well this season while pitching for the Yankees' chief rival: the Boston Red Sox. He posted a 5-3 record with 32 saves while finishing with career bests in ERA (1.17) and WHIP (0.70).

The eight-time All-Star signed a one-year, $13.3 million contract for the 2026 season in August. The deal also includes a 2027 vesting option.

Chapman played in parts of seven seasons for New York from 2016-22.

He was a three-time All-Star with the club, however, his last season ended on a sour note after he lost the closer role to Clay Holmes and missed a team workout ahead of the American League Division Series -- an act that may have contributed to him being left off the Yankees' postseason roster.

"I dealt with a lot of disrespect (with the Yankees)," Chapman said. "I put up with a lot of things. I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn't know how. And I just dealt with it quietly, kept playing, and doing what I always do."

Chapman said his issues stemmed from the "bosses," not manager Aaron Boone or the players.

"I got along well with all the players," he said. "Never had a problem with anybody, even the manager. We're friends and we talk and everything. The bosses are the ones who make those decisions."

Chapman is tied with Jeff Reardon for 12th place all-time with 367 career saves while pitching for seven teams since 2010. He won World Series championships with the Chicago Cubs (2016) and Texas Rangers (2023).

--Field Level Media