North Shore Nine

The Pirates and Aroldis Chapman have agreed to a 1-year, $10.5 million deal in what is by far the largest contract given out to a reliever in team history.

Chapman, 35, has been one of the game’s premier left-handed relievers for well over a decade and is coming off his best season in years after helping Texas win a World Series.

Chalk this one up as one I didn’t have on my bingo card. $10.5 million seem uncharacteristic from the Pirates to spend on their bullpen and it makes me wonder if there isn’t something else in the works here to perhaps make a move from what is now a strength to address a different team need.

This signing doesn’t come without it’s off the field issues, as well. In 2016, Chapman was suspended 30 games for his role in a domestic violence incident, which included him using a gun in an argument with his girlfriend.