Houston Astros' Baker on Aroldis Chapman: 'I Wanted Him'

Aroldis Chapman broke into the Majors with Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds in 2010.

William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — If Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker had his way, Aroldis Chapman would be on his team and not the Texas Rangers.

And not just by trade, either. From the first day of the 2023 season.

Baker met with the media on Saturday at Globe Life Field, the same day that Chapman showed up to suit up for his first game with the Rangers.

Texas traded pitcher Cole Ragans and minor-league outfielder Roni Cabrera to Kansas City to acquire the seven-time All-Star closer in an effort to bolster their bullpen.

While Chapman got acquainted with his new Rangers teammates, Baker lamented an offseason call that didn’t close the deal.

“I wanted him,” Baker said. “I think I was his last phone call before he signed with Kansas City. We just couldn’t make it happen.”

Baker has personal experience with Chapman. When the Cuba native broke into the Majors, he did so in Cincinnati in 2010. Baker was his manager, and he guided the first four seasons of Chapman’s career through 2013.

During that time he emerged as an All-Star closer, saving 76 combined games in Baker’s final two seasons in 2012 and 2013.

Based on that experience, Baker certainly would have loved nothing more than to have Chapman in Houston.

“I went through a lot with him,” Baker said. “He’s a good kid. He’s a nice, big, strong, good man. I remember when he was with me in Cincinnati, an NBA referee friend of mine saw him and said he looked like a two-guard. He wasn’t that big then. He is now. Like I said, I wish I had him.”

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