Here's some more from ESPN's Buster Olney:Aroldis Chapman, whose age was reported to be 21 years old, walked out of his hotel room in Rotterdam and did not return, a spokesman for the Dutch baseball team said Friday. Chapman told cubaencuentro.com he was in Europe, but refused to reveal his location.
Chapman, whose fastball reportedly exceeds 100 mph, is widely considered the No. 1 pitching prospect in Cuba. The New York Times reported the Yankees, who have been at the forefront of signing international pitchers, will have discussions about whether they should pursue the left-handed Chapman.
Chapman pitched for Cuba during the World Baseball Classic in March, where he posted a 5.68 ERA in 6 1/3 innings. Reports during that tournament listed Chapman's age as 26.
In an interview with the Times, Yale University professor Roberto González Echevarría, the author of The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball, called Chapman "the most promising young pitcher" to leave Cuba since Fidel Castro took over in 1959.
"He throws at a 100 miles per hour, he is more polished than most young pitchers at his age," González Echevarría told the Times. "He is a really hot property, and it will be interesting to see how much teams pay to sign him."
ESPN is also reporting that could receive a contract worth anywhere from $30 million to $60 million. And that "Yankees senior vice president Mark Newman, when contacted by ESPN The Magazine, said it's "safe to assume" the Yankees would have interest in Chapman."
So, do you think the Yanks should go for it and sign the 21 or 26-year-old? I do. "A left-handed Steven Strausburg" who has three pitches? Why the heck not?
I don't know about you, but I have no problem with the Yankees taking financial risks on international free agents. They have all the money in the world, so a bust here or there isn't going to hurt them.
11 Comments:
I'd rather just leave him be. Who knows? The guy is probably like 30 in reality.
I'd rather not have a Jose Contreras situation all over again.
Yea I agree don't bother if they don't know his age. Miguel Tejada and Vladimir Guerrero off the top of my head had their ages wrong recently. The last thing you want is to sign someone you think is 21 to a long term deal while he is really 26.
30-60 million? Does this mean he's major-league ready? I'm pretty sure the Yanks wouldn't be paying a Cuban minor-leaguer 30-60 million bucks. Then again, they're the Yankees.
I can understand that you wouldn't want another Jose Contreras, but what about an El Duque?
And yes, I believe he's looked at as someone who is MLB ready.
So what, it didn't work out with Contreras? That doesn't mean every other international, or specifically Cuban prospect would bomb in New York playing for the Yankees. No guts, no glory!!! Besides, what do we have to lose? Money? It's not even our money so it's a no lose situation.
kei igawa anyone?
the guy had a 5.68 era in the wbc.....
the guy had a 5.68 era in the wbc.....
Did anyone else actually watch him pitch in the WBC. I did and I specifically remember saying if this guys comes over he will be amazing. This guy is the real deal. I say we go all in for him. Not to mention if we don't you know the red sox most likely will and we dont want him going there.
Good points Scotty.
I wathced Chapman in the WBC and the FACT is that he is lights out.
He made 3 appearances. 2 games he was lights out filthy. Nada!
The movement on the ball is nasty.
The ump kept making the wrong calls b/c of the break.
It cost him 2 walks and then he was forced to throw a lolli-pop to get a called strike.
The result of poor umpiring led to ONE hit--a homer!
What's the problem Yankee Fans? Don't we want greatness in the rotation AND in the pen too?
Hi Joba :)
Wanna "debate" now? Bring Phil.
Go Yanks
Paddy
"We would be the luckiest fans in the world but to get and watch such a fine young talent"--the ghost. :)
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