Report: Red Sox Offer Aroldis Chapman $15.5M Contract

by Randy Booth on Dec 14, 2009 12:53 PM EST in News Comment 21 comments

Cuban defector and pitcher Aroldis Chapman, 21, is holding a workout for himself in Houston tomorrow, but according to one report, the Red Sox have already offered the fireballer a contract:

Speculation on what kind of money Chapman will sign for remains wild, but the Red Sox have at least already begun the bidding. According to one source close to the negotiations, Boston offered Chapman a $15.5 million dollar package that includes a major league deal. When contacted regarding this story, Red Sox officials declined to comment. Boston has been linked to Chapman since the day he became available, and Chapman is close friends with shortstop Jose Iglesias, a Cuban shortstop that Boston signed in September.

Fifteen million, but for how many years? I have a lot of questions about Chapman, including, Can his arm hold up? and, Is he actually 21 years old? I'm not sold on him. I'm sure there's a ton of mileage on his arm, even though he is just 21. I guess we'll get a real answer Tuesday when Chapman holds his workout.

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4 years, probably.

Add to the list of questions:

Can he get major leaguers out
Can he throw strikes

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 14, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions

the control I think is the biggest question

unless he’s something like 35, which I think would be obvious.

But then I think about all the questions people had about Lester’s control when he came up and I get optimistic.

by wolf9309 on Dec 14, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

My bet he gets the normal rookie type contract

I would think Theo would do something like Oki (cept higher price) got for a contract but with the 3-4 yrs I would guess and with arbitration years after that until he goes free agent…

If he has that 100mph consistent fast ball than being like Randy Johnson and a little wild in his first years will put the fear of god into some good hitters.

As I recall Randy (being wild) started the mouth piece guard era in Baseball… IE Mike Gator Greenwell started using it facing Randy!

This kid could be the real deal after he earns his spot and a plus after a year n a half of high minor league ball.

by Gweg on Dec 14, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

this is one of the decisions I feel we just gotta trust the FO to do what's best

it’s hard to really judge. It’s impossible not to love the potential he has and it’s impossible not to be afraid of how bad he could be. Really, since pretty much no one has really seen him pitch or work out, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the FO does the right thing.

I’d like to see them give him a shot, but every team would like to give him a shot, it’s hard to say how much he’ll get on the market. If it’s $15.5 mill over 4 years or something, I’d love it for the potential, if it’s less than 4, probably too much to pay for a question mark.

by wolf9309 on Dec 14, 2009 1:10 PM EST reply actions

Can't be as bad as Igawa.....Haha!

MFYs…….

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 14, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

Busy day today. I’m still not sold on this kid. Kid… I’m 21 too.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 14, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions

That contract was offered a while ago

So if we sign Lackey, as sources indicate we will, I doubt we will still be in on Chapman. With holes at LF, 3B, and the bullpen I doubt we still have the money for Chapman.

by Gnick on Dec 14, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply actions

Unless

Unless Adrian is coming than the holes are covered with additional big bat, 3b covered in Youk, and Jeremy platoon player is all we need Cameron?

One bullpen arm could be Richardson (sorry but Saito had NO meaningful innings) , the other could be another cheap reliever or Boof.

by Gweg on Dec 14, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

If we did get Adrian, it would solve 3B, yes.

I don’t think we’re going to actually platoon Hermida. More likely we get Cameron and give Drew days off every once in a while to keep him healthy, since Cameron can cover RF with ease.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 14, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Chapman

I would say a comparable deal to a number one draft pick would be the max he should get. But I really don’t know how such unproven talent can command so much money to begin with.

by brogshan on Dec 14, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions

Well, Strasburg commanded 15 million.

Is he a special case?

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 14, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Just for the record, comparing international market dollars to draft dollars is a losing game.

The draft will always cost less. Now, maybe you think Chapman is noticeably worse than a #1 pick would be, and if that’s the case, than OK. But if not, then he’s gonna cost more. Iglesias was $8 million, for comparison.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 14, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think I made myself clear

I meant to say, I really don’t have a good feel on how you evaluate unproven talent in terms of dollars. My thinking was Strasburg was offered a $15 million deal, and if Chapman is considered as good his deal should be the same.

I had not thought of the difference in leverage with drafted player and international signings. The fact he can negotiate with other teams will increase Chapman’s salary.

by brogshan on Dec 14, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

If the FO is interested, then my fears are somewhat quelled

While I don’t believe that Theo is infallible, I do think that his wheelhouse is developing young pitchers into major leaguers with sustainable careers. With all the emphasis they put on shoulder workouts and limited innings, I don’t think they would be going after this guy if they thought his arm was about to fall off. This is area of biggest strength, so if they want him, it must be a viable option.

by BigRedDog42 on Dec 14, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions

my question about Chapman

Will he ever be able to locate his pitches? And are smoke-throwing lefties worth so much money that teams can wait out command issues? There aren’t many of those, and Sabathia and Lester are about the only recent starters who do throw hard (relievers, in order of typical velocity: Kuo, Wagner, Schlereth…my, there aren’t many at all; below avg. velocity of 93 you start getting in the realm of marginal quad-A pitchers and situational lefties. Do many of them flame out, no pun intended, due to control issues?)

by morineko on Dec 14, 2009 4:49 PM EST reply actions