When Aroldis Chapman, born 1988-02-28 in Holguín, Cuba, entered the Boston Red Sox clubhouse this winter, few could have guessed the fireworks that would follow.
Now, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has announced a brand‑new Relief Pitcher of the Year award for both the American and National Leagues, slated to debut in the 2026 season. The timing lines up almost perfectly with Chapman’s jaw‑dropping 2025 campaign, making him the odds‑on favorite for the inaugural honor.
New Award Sparks Fresh Debate
The BWAA’s decision marks the first time that relievers will receive a season‑long accolade mirroring the prestige of the MVP or Cy Young. Historically, closers have been recognized only through monthly awards and All‑Star nods. By formalizing a yearly prize, the writers hope to shine a spotlight on a role that often decides games from the ninth inning onward.
League officials say the award will be voted on by the entire BWAA membership, with separate ballots for the AL and NL. That means a player like Chapman, who logged a perfect 0.00 ERA in August and amassed a staggering 52 saves by season’s end, will be judged against a field that includes the likes of Raisel Iglesias and Liam Hendriks. The move has already sparked talk on sports talk radio, with some arguing the award could tilt contract negotiations in favor of high‑velocity closers.
Chapman's 2025 Season: A Masterclass
Red Sox manager Alex Cora handed Chapman the closer role after a fierce spring‑training battle against Hendriks and Justin Slaten. The decision paid off immediately. Chapman secured the win in his Red Sox debut on Opening Day, then proceeded to set two franchise velocity records – 102.3 mph on April 19 and a blistering 103.4 mph a week later, the fastest pitch ever recorded by a Boston pitcher.
July 2 saw him notch his 350th career save against the Cincinnati Reds, a milestone that placed him among the all‑time elite. Four days later, a long‑awaited All‑Star selection arrived – his eighth overall and first since 2021. But perhaps the most astonishing stretch came between July 27 and September 10, when Chapman appeared in 17 straight games without surrendering a single hit. He struck out 21 batters, walked only four, and allowed zero runs. That hitless run ranks third‑longest in MLB history since 1901, trailing only Randy Choate’s 20‑appearance streak in 2011 and Tim Byrdak’s 18‑appearance run in 2018.
Chapman capped the month of August with the AL Reliever of the Month award, his sixth career monthly honor and first while wearing the Red Sox uniform. His August line was otherworldly: 0.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a strikeout‑per‑nine‑innings rate of 13.2. The award put him alongside former Red Sox relievers Jonathan Papelbon, Craig Kimbrel, Brandon Workman, and Matt Barnes – the only other Boston pitchers to earn the prize since its inception in 2005.
Reactions from the Baseball Community
When asked about the new award, former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander told ESPN that “relievers get the glory they deserve, and Chapman is the perfect example of why we need it.” Meanwhile, the Red Sox front office released a statement emphasizing Chapman’s durability and leadership in the bullpen, noting that his recent contract extension – a two‑year, $13.3 million deal with a vesting option for 2027 – ensures stability “as we look toward the new award’s debut.”
Fans at Fenway Park (the Boston venue) have already started chanting “Missile!” whenever Chapman walks to the mound, a reflection of the cultural impact he’s had in just one season with the club.
Potential Impact of the New Award
Beyond the personal accolade, the Relief Pitcher of the Year award could reshape how teams allocate payroll. Relievers who command elite velocity and consistency – traits epitomized by Chapman – may see their market value rise dramatically. A recent study by Baseball Prospectus found that closers with a career ERA under 2.00 earn, on average, 20 % more than their peers.
For the Red Sox, the award could serve as a recruiting magnet for prospective bullpen arms, signaling that Boston values and rewards high‑leverage performance. The club’s front office chief, Dave Dombrowski, hinted that the team may explore adding another high‑velocity right‑hander to complement Chapman’s left‑handed arsenal.
What’s Next for Chapman and the Award?
Chapman’s contract extension, signed on August 31, locks him in for the 2026 season at $13.3 million, with a vesting option that could keep him in Boston through 2027 if performance thresholds are met. That timing aligns perfectly with the inaugural Relief Pitcher of the Year ceremony, likely to be held at the MLB Awards show in December.
Should Chapman capture the honor, he would become the first pitcher to win both a monthly reliever award and the season‑long accolade in the same year – a feat that could cement his legacy alongside hall‑of‑fame closers like Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
Background: Relief Pitching Evolution
Relief pitching has undergone a seismic shift since the 1990s, when the closer role became a specialized, high‑impact position. The first annual Reliever of the Month award was introduced in 2005, and over the past two decades, the bullpen has transformed from a “fire‑plug” to a strategic weapon. The introduction of the BWAA’s Relief Pitcher of the Year award represents the latest milestone in that evolution, acknowledging that a single arm can influence a season’s outcome as much as a starting ace.
In addition to Chapman’s recent feats, the league has seen a surge in velocity numbers. The average fastball speed for relievers rose from 94.6 mph in 2010 to 96.3 mph in 2025, according to MLB’s Statcast data. Chapman's 103.4 mph record underscores how elite velocity is becoming the new norm for elite closers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the new Relief Pitcher of the Year award affect player contracts?
The award creates a quantifiable benchmark for elite relievers. Agents can now point to a concrete accolade when negotiating salary, and teams may be willing to allocate larger portions of the payroll to closers who demonstrate sustained dominance, as shown by Chapman's 2025 stats.
Is Aroldis Chapman eligible for the award despite his age?
Yes. The BWAA’s criteria focus on seasonal performance, not age. At 37, Chapman’s 2025 numbers – zero earned runs in August, a 103.4 mph fastball, and a 350th career save – make him a strong contender regardless of how many seasons he’s logged.
What makes Chapman’s 17‑game hitless streak historic?
Since 1901, only two relievers have recorded longer hitless runs: Randy Choate’s 20 appearances in 2011 and Tim Byrdak’s 18 in 2018. Chapman’s streak, coupled with 21 strikeouts and only four walks, places him third on that list and highlights his exceptional command.
Will the award be presented at the MLB Awards ceremony?
While the BWAA hasn’t confirmed the exact venue, past precedent suggests the award will be part of the MLB Awards show in December, alongside MVP, Cy Young, and other honors.
How does Chapman’s contract extension compare to other top relievers?
The two‑year, $13.3 million deal (approximately $6.65 million per year) sits near the top of the market. For context, the 2024 contracts of top relievers like Josh Hader and Liam Hendriks were $7.5 million and $8 million per year, respectively, indicating the Red Sox value Chapman at a comparable tier.
