The Boston Red Sox have kicked off what they aim to be a transformative winter by finalizing a one-year, $10.75 million deal with left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman.

A source close to the negotiations confirmed to YSL News Sports that the agreement between Chapman and the Red Sox is in place. This information was shared anonymously as no official announcement has been made yet.

The franchise has already engaged with superstar free agent Juan Soto and continues to pursue his services while also looking to secure at least one of the top remaining free agent pitchers available.

The rebuilding process will start with Chapman, who is set to turn 36 in February. Last season, he recorded 98 strikeouts in 61 ⅔ innings pitched with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Previously, Chapman spent seven seasons with the rival New York Yankees and was a key member of the Texas Rangers’ World Series-winning bullpen after being traded from Kansas City in 2023.

ESPN was the first to report the agreement between Boston and Chapman.

Over the past five years, Boston has struggled, finishing last in the American League East three times and making only one playoff appearance since their 2018 World Series victory, even with an expanded postseason format.

Despite averaging an impressive 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings, Chapman has experienced the highest ERAs of his career in two of the last three seasons: a 3.79 ERA in 68 appearances with the Pirates last season, and 4.46 in 43 games with the Yankees in 2022.

As Liam Hendriks is projected to return by Opening Day after a full season of recovering from Tommy John surgery, Chapman is expected to step into a setup role in a Red Sox bullpen that needs to fill the void left by closer Kenley Jansen and reliable late-game pitcher Chris Martin.