Aroldis Chapman says Yankees GM must apologize before trade

Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman has stated that a potential return to the New York Yankees would require a public apology from Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, revealing lingering resentment over the way his previous tenure with the club ended in 2022. Chapman made the comments this week in an interview, addressing trade rumors as the struggling Red Sox are widely expected to be sellers ahead of the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

Chapman, 38, was direct when asked about the possibility of rejoining the Yankees. "What happened, happened," he said. "If something like this were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first." He confirmed that "someone" is Cashman. The rift stems from Chapman's final season in New York, which concluded acrimoniously. After a difficult 2022 campaign marred by injury and inconsistency, including a leg infection reportedly connected to a tattoo, Chapman was left off the Yankees' postseason roster. The team cited his absence from a mandatory team workout, which Chapman claimed he had permission to miss, as an act of insubordination. Cashman publicly criticized Chapman's actions at the time.