The Cuban closer for the Boston Red Sox Aroldis Chapman confessed that he was contacted by Great Britain to play in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and stated he is willing to participate.
“ They called me from Great Britain to play,” the supersonic player from Holguín told Swing Completo.
Chapman explained that despite being open to it, he would like to see how his season with Boston ends.
"I did not give them 100% certainty that I will be able to play. Remember, I will be a free agent next season and I don't know what will happen. But I told them that I am available to be on the roster and that before giving a definitive yes to playing, I need to wait for the outcome of my next season in Free Agency," he explained.
In the interview with Daniel de Malas, Chapman asserted that he was also contacted informally by Team USA.
"I was also contacted by the team from the United States. Although it was just to see if I was available to play with them if they invited me. It wasn't official," he stated.
Chapman is already in his 16th season in the Major Leagues, and with Boston, he has been unbeatable. In 29 innings, he has recorded 39 strikeouts, a WHIP of 0.86, an earned run average of 1.55, and 12 saves in 32 games. Additionally, he has a record of 3 wins and 2 losses.
The VI World Baseball Classic will take place in March 2026, and the Cuban team will face an extremely competitive first round in Puerto Rico, in what many are calling "the pool of death," alongside the host nation, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. In the fifth edition, the inclusion of MLB players on the regime's team sparked significant controversy within the Cuban exile community.
Recently, the organizer from Toronto, Yariel Rodríguez admitted that he would love to play in a World Baseball Classic with the Cuba team.
"I would like to play with Cuba again in a Classic," he also said in an interview with the independent media outlet Swing Completo.
"For me, it would be a pleasure to share again with Team Cuba, because what you experience there with your teammates, that atmosphere, is something you never live again. For me, that Classic, that environment, that great desire to win, to share with friends, is very important," commented the reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Frequently asked questions about Aroldis Chapman's participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Will Aroldis Chapman play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Great Britain?
Aroldis Chapman is willing to play for Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but he has not officially confirmed it yet. Chapman, who will be a free agent next season, wants to wait and see how his season with the Boston Red Sox concludes before making a final decision.
What other teams have shown interest in Aroldis Chapman for the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
In addition to Great Britain, the United States team has also expressed interest in having Aroldis Chapman participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, the contact with the United States team has not been official.
Why hasn't Aroldis Chapman confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic yet?
Chapman has not confirmed his participation because he wants to assess his situation as a free agent at the end of the current season with the Boston Red Sox. His decision will depend on how his career unfolds in Free Agency.
What is Aroldis Chapman's current performance in Major League Baseball?
Aroldis Chapman is having an outstanding season with the Boston Red Sox. To date, he has achieved 12 saves in 32 games, with an earned run average of 1.55 and a WHIP of 0.86, making him a key player in the team's bullpen.
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