If the Yankees want to trade for Aroldis Chapman, the Boston Red Sox closer believes New York general manager Brian Cashman owes him an apology first.
"What happened, happened," Chapman said, according to ESPN's Enrique Rojas. "If something like this were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first."
Chapman replied "yes" when asked if the person he was referring to was Cashman.
The 38-year-old left-hander has twice been employed by the Yankees, most recently from 2017-2022 when he operated as New York's closer.
In 2022, Chapman lost the closer's job to Clay Holmes and was left off the Yankees' playoff roster for missing a mandatory practice before the ALDS. Cashman accused Chapman of insubordination for not showing up to the practice, although the pitcher said he had the team's permission to travel to Miami.
With the Red Sox last in the AL East, Chapman and his team-friendly contract ($12 million in 2026, $13-million mutual option in 2027) could be one of Boston's best trade pieces. This year's trade deadline is Aug. 3.
"I'm in a position right now where I'm under contract and I don't have any control over my contract," Chapman said. "I don't have any clauses or anything with any team, but (going to New York) would be something that, first of all, I would have to talk to the manager about. Sit down and talk and see what would happen."
The veteran reliever has been terrific for the Red Sox the past two seasons, authoring a 1.00 ERA and 12.3 K/9 with 45 saves in 87 games.
