ESPN insider Buster Olney has placed Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman in rare air among the game's top relief arms heading into the new season.
In his freshly released 2026 positional rankings, Olney listed the left-hander fourth overall among relievers. The top 10 features a mix of young power arms and proven veterans, with Chapman sitting directly behind Jhoan Duran and ahead of Cade Smith.
Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres and Edwin Diaz of the Los Angeles Dodgers were Olney's No. 1 and No. 2 relievers, respectively.
At 37 years old, Chapman delivered one of his sharpest campaigns in 2025, posting a career-low walk rate of 6.6 percent while allowing an OPS+ of 351 against.
Olney noted the Red Sox helped refine his fastball command, particularly on the inner half of the plate, allowing the flamethrower to recapture the swing-and-miss dominance that marked his early prime.
Boston locked up the veteran with a $13.3 million extension late in the 2025 regular season.
That deal now looks like a potential steal given Chapman's placement among the league's best, providing the Red Sox with a lockdown option at the back end of the bullpen as they chase contention in the AL East once again in '26.
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