Red Sox interested in Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman
by Randy Booth on Sep 23, 2009 1:03 PM EDT
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PrintNo surprise here: the Sox should be in the bidding for fireballing pitcher Aroldis Chapman:
Expect the Red Sox to be among the many teams who will explore signing the 21-year-old left-hander, whose features include a 100-plus mph fastball, a 6-foot-4 frame and four years of professional experience pitching in Cuba.
Since the Cuban defected while in the Netherlands in July, teams have been waiting for the process to unfold where he would become an unrestricted free agent. A major development took place over the weekend when Chapman was able to establish residency in Andorra, a tiny country situated between France and Spain. Major League Baseball is currently evaluating the paperwork but is expected to grant him unrestricted free agency in the coming weeks.
102-MPH fastball? I'll take that. But here's the question: how much will Chapman go for? Dice-K-esque money? Do the Sox really have that kind of dough to dish around?
Sound off: how involved should the Sox be in trying to sign Chapman?
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Pass pass pass...Dear GOD pass.
He’s wild. He walks tons of guys. He’s put up mediocre numbers in the equivalent of single-A ball. He might be 2 years older than he claims. He might be 4! His delivery makes scouts think his elbow is going to snap off. He’s going to cost a ton of money.
And, oh yeah, he’s spent years throwing 100 MPH as a starter in a league which likely doesn’t take quite as good care of their young talent as the MLB with their multi-million dollar investments.
Sounds a bit like Dice-K
$100M-plus for a supposed ace who isn’t even close.
For that reason alone, we should put in a competitive bid. The MFY will outbid us, but we’ll be able to drive up the price. Then they’ll be stuck with him with a ridiculous contract.
Dice-K at least had ace numbers in his league
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 23, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
And...
Chapman has gotten WORSE each of the last few seasons in his league too…
Perhaps overworked?
Perhaps the delivery?
Talk about a red flag.
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 23, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I shall use this blind devotion to create a 1-man fan club for Mike Jones.
Know that he is the best prospect that ever is, ever was, and ever will be. Ignore his numbers in favor of his name, and my seeming adoration of him. Who cares if he is 24, in A+ ball with little chance of promotion, a defenseless DH, and a guy whose power can’t seem to convert from BP to real in-game action? You are his follower now.
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 23, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
281 - 330 - 8004
Hit Mike Jones up on the low cause Mike Jones about to blow.
I’m MIKE JONES.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
Except:
1) We’re not paying a team just to talk to the player
1a) The $50+ million we spent for that on Dice-K shouldn’t be factored into his contract.
1b) The $50+ million in Dice’s case is as much an investment in the Japanese players as it was in him. No need to make a big impression on this market.
1c) That was a blind bid – we didn’t know what other teams were offering.
2) Dice-K was older than this kid – supposed to be in his prime. And he was facing AA-AAA talent, with the occasional match-ups against MLB stars.
3) Dice-K had great secondary stuff, which is easier to make work than just a 100+ MPH fastball – ESPECIALLY for a starter.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
I mostly agree
and posted some of the same issue on Pinstripeally when they brought Chapman up a few days ago. I think he might turn into a good pitcher (assuming his age really is 21) but the risk is very very high, especially at the price it will take. I would pass too.
Pass
I remember Contreras and all the hype surrending his signing by the MFY, so I say pass. and don’t compare his numbers in Cuban league ( Minor A+) to the japanese league (AAA level).
DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
Agreed, mostly.
Although Contreras was like 30 already when he defected, and he can dominate teams when he’s hot.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
They should make a competive offer but I would make sure that Jason Bey gets signed up first of all before anything else ! You can bet your ass that the Yankees will be there in both cases with their open check book !
I'll be will to part with both Bay and the Cuban Dice-K...
If it meant getting Holliday.
Man I love that tuna casserole.
i still dont get why holliday is considered a sure thing
has it occured to anybody that he suffers from NL sucks syndrome? i know oakland has a pitchers park, but he was terrible.
He was much better after April.
Slugging was still down from ROX days, but that’s to be expected. OBP was still very high. Plus he’s actually a capable fielder.
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 23, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
And he'd be in a VERY friendly park for his swing.
With a MUCH better lineup around him.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
A 102mph fastball....
will definately get your attention. The Sox should see what the market is,at least. Hey,if THEY don’t have the cash it takes,pretty much who does?!
The better question is
“Is it worth the cash it will take”
I think Chapman might be the most overrated IFA ever.
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 23, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
No way,
gotta be Edward Salcedo. He was supposed to be the next Arod and then some. Now he’s floating around various teams Domincan complex’s looking for work.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Sep 23, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a quitter
He quit on Communism, how do we know he won’t quit on the team?
by BigRedDog42 on Sep 23, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
In Cuba, Communism quit on you!
/Cuban Smirnoff’d
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Sep 23, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
With that fastball, the Redsox should offer him fair market price as a reliever.
Him and Bard = Broken Catcher’s Mitt.
Just a thought….
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
Him = Broken netting behind home plate.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
Hmm... he did break the law, technically.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
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