Cubs After Dark: Should the Team Bring Back Aroldis Chapman?

July 1, 2026 - 06:11

The late-night debate among Cubs fans has taken a familiar turn: would you welcome Aroldis Chapman back to the North Side? The question stirs up a mix of memories, both electric and uneasy.

Chapman's first stint with the Cubs in 2016 was brief but unforgettable. He arrived via trade from the Yankees and immediately became the shutdown closer the team needed. His 100-plus mph fastball and wipeout slider helped secure the franchise's first World Series title in 108 years. He threw 42 pitches in Game 7, including a scoreless ninth inning to close out the win. For that alone, many fans hold him in high regard.

But there is more to the story. Chapman's off-field history, including a domestic violence incident in 2015, has made him a polarizing figure. He served a 30-game suspension, and his return to the Yankees after 2016 only added to the complicated feelings. Now, at age 37, Chapman is still throwing hard. He posted a 3.79 ERA with 14 saves for the Pirates in 2024, striking out nearly 14 batters per nine innings. His control remains shaky, but the raw stuff is still there.

The Cubs bullpen in 2025 is a work in progress. They have young arms like Porter Hodge and Julian Merryweather, but adding a veteran lefty with closing experience could make sense. Chapman would not cost much in terms of money or prospect capital. He would likely accept a one-year deal.

Still, the question is not just about baseball. Would the organization want to bring back a player with his baggage? Would the fans embrace him? Some would cheer the return of a champion. Others would rather move on. For now, it remains a late-night hypothetical, but one that gets people talking.