Yanks Offered $54 Million For Chapman? (Updated)

(Updated: 11:44 AM)

We know Cashman will lie to the media so I'm not so sure I believe him on this one.

The lawsuit mentioned in the tweet refers to a Florida lawsuit against the Fernandez and Hendricks Sports Management, Chapman's representatives, that alleges "tortuous interference" and "unjust enrichment" in signing Aroldis Chapman as a client.

 Regardless of the suit itself, I guess I should get off the Yanks case for not signing the guy because it appears like they certainly tried their best. I'm pretty shocked that he would pass up an extra $24MM to play in Cincy, but I guess he wasn't ready for the bright lights of The Big Apple.

The One That Got Away: Chapman Makes MLB Debut

I'm sorry if my Aroldis Chapman talk is getting annoying--I promise it will stop after this--but the 22-year-old flame thrower made his MLB debut last night and it was pretty damn impressive.

In a 1-2-3 8th for the Reds, Chapman struck out one and got two weak ground outs. He hits 103 mph on the gun twice, and his slider looked absolutely disgusting. The combination reminded me a bit of Randy Johnson, he's just obviously not as tall. Here's the video:


According to Brooks Baseball, his fastball actually topped out at 102.7 and averaged 100.65.

I still can't believe the Yankees didn't sign this kid.

105 MPH?!?!?!!?

According to Ed Price, Aroldis Chapman hit 105 MPH this weekend in a relief appearance for the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

Yes, 105 MPH.

... And he was sitting at 103.

Here are a couple tweets from Price:

Aroldis Chapman tonight hit 105 mph and "sat at" 103, with a 90-91 slider. Scout: "best fastball I have ever witnessed"

... scout there had 105. So did scoreboard.

Buster Olney and Peter Gammons reported the same:

Olney:

Aroldis Chapman just days away from being called up -- and tonight he was clocked at 105 mph while striking out 3 in 9th in Class AAA.

Gammons:

One of best scouts texted from Louisville that Chapman was 98-105 w/ 91 MPH slider and "best velo I've ever seen" Friday night. Hi, Cinci

If that's true it's amazing. It's also worth mentioning that he did strike out all three batters he faced in the inning. And, apparently this is nothing new:

"I will say that's the first time we've seen 105 on the (radar) gun," [Louisville manager Rick] Sweet said. "But we've had scouts tell us that they've gotten 105. So, yes, what you're seeing out of Chapman is what we've seen for the last two weeks."

It's also now being reported that the Reds are going to call him up today or tomorrow so that he's playoff eligible.

It's Not Like We Could Use This Guy

(photo from Flickr member SD Dirk)

From Buster Olney:

Aroldis Chapman was clocked at 103 mph in the ninth inning the other night -- twice -- as he closed out Columbus on behalf of the Reds' Triple-A affiliate. And what should concern National League hitters is that Chapman is throwing that hard while throwing strikes.

His streak of scoreless outings out of the bullpen for the Louisville Bats has reached 10, and in that time he has allowed just six hits and four walks over 11 1/3 innings, with 16 strikeouts. Cincinnati general manager Walt Jocketty said Wednesday evening that he probably will have a discussion with Reds manager Dusty Baker this week about whether and when to promote Chapman -- but clearly, he has moved onto the Reds' radar. "I see him at some point, if we decide to pull him up, helping us late in ballgames," Jocketty said.

If Chapman -- who defected from Cuba last year, and was the target of a bidding war among the Reds, Toronto, Oakland and other clubs -- continues to throw strikes with his fastball and slider, he probably will overmatch hitters. Like Stephen Strasburg, he is almost without peer in his talent.

Olney goes on to describe how Louisville pitching coach Ted Power and Reds special assistant Mario Soto had Chapman adjusted his delivery and how its helped the flame-thrower maintain balance and better command.

"He's throwing strikes with all of his pitches," said Jocketty, who, like Power, has never seen anyone with an arm like Chapman's. "Never," the GM said. "Not with the consistency of velocity he has or the slider he has. He has the makings of being a really good pitcher. He was 96 to 102 mph the other night, and he did hit 103 mph a couple of times. The other thing about that is he is so free and easy. He's throwing hard, but he just looks free and easy."

If you don't remember, the Reds signed Chapman to a six-year, $30.25 million deal, or right around $5 million per year.

What I want to know is what Cashman was thinking letting a talent like this get away for that price? Whether as a reliever or a starter (the Reds future plan) a 22-year-old with this talent is a great prize for any team. Now, I'm not sure the Yankees would have been able to correct the problem as well as the Reds did, but I have to hope they would have.

To me, this was always a no-brainer for the Yanks, but obviously they never felt that way. I'm sure they're starting to regret that decision.

Yanks Say Chapman Would Have Been a Luxury

From Mark Sheldon:

Once Chapman was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, speculation was that the 21-year-old's asking price might make big-market, deep-pocketed clubs favorites to acquire Chapman. But that proved to be a wrong assumption.

Many teams, such as the Red Sox and Yankees, were indicating to Hendricks they viewed Chapman as mostly a luxury. Boston, which had recently signed free agent John Lackey, already had a stocked pitching staff. So did the Yankees. Clubs like these viewed Chapman as part of their big league plans -- in 2011 or '12.

If you ask me, being able to afford those luxuries are what has put the Yankees past the rest of the competition in the past and can continue to do so in the future. I respect the Yankees sticking to their target payroll, but I don't think the fact that Chapman was a luxury should have kept them from signing him.

As we find out later in the article, that might not have been the only reason he signed with the Reds:

The Reds presented themselves as a younger club that could provide a chance for Chapman to pitch in the Majors in 2010.

“So here’s the metaphor I used when teams expressed concern this would be for just the highest bidder, like New York or Boston,” Hendricks said. “‘If I had a great first baseman from Cuba, do you think I’d call the St. Louis Cardinals first?’ We wanted opportunity. We would like to put him in a system where he’d have an opportunity to emerge sooner.”

That makes sense, especially from the player's perspective. He doesn't want to come to America and spend a few seasons in the minors. Something he would likely have had to do as a Yankee.

Chapman Signs With Reds

(Updated 4:14 p.m.) Jeff Passan confirms that Chapman has signed a 5-year, $30 million deal with the Reds.

(Updated 2:48 p.m.) Jeff Blair is saying that Chapman is headed to the Reds.

(Updated 2:15 p.m.) According to several sources around the net it's not the Dodgers, Padres, Marlins, Nationals, Pirates, Braves or Rockies.

First here are a couple Tweets from Jeff Passan:

Cuban LHP Aroldis Chapman agrees to $30M deal with National League team, according to source. Left Ft. Lauderdale airport this a.m. to sign.

He also said another source said the deal was worth $30 million deal over five years.

And then this more recently:

Narrowed it down: It's an NL Central team. Cincinnati making more and more sense. Reds "going after him like crazy," team source said.

I still think it's a chance the Yankees should have taken, but at least he's not headed to Boston.

Sox Still In Hunt For Chapman

From Gordon Edes:

Contrary to reports that have pegged the Angels and Blue Jays as favorites to sign the 22-year-old pitcher, the Red Sox remain very much in the picture, one major league executive predicting that either the Sox or Yankees will sign him. There have been reports that the Yankees are out, but it would seem improbable that the Bombers would not remain involved as long as the Red Sox were in the bidding.

"This one is for the big-money teams,'' the executive said.

Two other major-league sources confirmed that the Sox are still engaged with Randy and Alan Hendricks, Chapman's agents, after making an opening offer, sources told ESPN.com, in excess of $15 million.

After what we heard earlier this week I doubt the Yankees are going to get involved, even with Boston in the mix. Then again they weren't going to be able to afford Teixeira and Bubba Crosby was supposed to start in center.

Looks Like The Yanks Won't Be Signing Chapman

Via Buster Olney:

Sources: The Mets are not in on Aroldis Chapman - just as the Yankees are not in on Aroldis Chapman. One talent evaluator (more)

Olney also said that he "expects the bidding on Chapman to go to $20 million." And that there are concerns "in some quarters that he is better suited for relief than as a starter."

Personally, I think the Yankees are making a mistake.

Yanks Seek Private Workout With Chapman

Jorge Arangure Jr. is reporting via ESPN Insider that the Yanks are trying to setup a private workout with Chapman in Miami. Arangure also says he believes that either the Yankees or Red Sox will land the 22-year-old flame-thrower.

If the Yankees are going to sign him, they will at least have to beat Boston's original $15.5 million offer. As you know, I hope they do.

First Reviews Of Chapman's Workout Are In

(Updated 4:18 p.m.) Here's some more info from Bryan Hoch:

"The kid's got a great arm," Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade said of the 6-foot-4 Chapman. "He's a physical specimen. He's left-handed. He throws hard. Obviously, anybody would be interested in an arm like this. He's got some great stuff. The early feedback from our guys, and everybody else, is he's a tremendous talent."

...

One National League scout was asked what impressed him the most about Chapman.

"His fastball," he replied. "He's got it. He was bringing it."

...

Randy Hendricks stressed that Chapman, who does not speak English, was not throwing with his ultimate velocity.

"He didn't throw all out, which we told the teams he would not do," Hendricks said. "I think it was important that he demonstrated that he's ready, he's in shape, that he can throw free and easy, which is what he did. A lot of life on his pitches. He threw real well. I think it was sufficient to let everybody know he's ready for prime time. He looked comfortable as could be. He looked fluid. All the teams I talked to were really impressed. Just free and easy is what I heard.

"The useful part is it gives teams a chance to see him now, up close and personal. They've seen him in international competition on videotape."

First there's this from Ed Price:

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman today, in side session in Houston: 93-96 mph, abv avg slider & change. Person there: "He's got the package."

And then this from Baseball Prospectus writer Kiley McDaniel:

Exec on Chapman workout: up to 97, flashed 4 & 2 seamer, crisp CH/SL combo. Tough to gauge w/o hitters but physicality was impressive.

Sounds like he's the real deal. Wonder if the Yankees are a little more interested in him now.

Yanks To Attend Chapman's Workout Next Week

According to Jorge Arangure, the Yankees will attend Aroldis Chapman's workout next week in Houston. The Red Sox will also have people in attendance.

The Risks of Signing Chapman

A lot of Yankees fans, including myself, have been intrigued by the Cuban defector and are hopeful the Yankees sign the 21-year-old fireballer. But the NY Times' Jack Curry says hold on, and points out the risks involved in signing Chapman.

When the Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman visited Yankee Stadium in October, the Yankees asked his representative if Chapman could throw a bullpen session for them. Edwin Mejia, who has since been replaced as the agent, said Chapman would not at that time.

The Yankees, like every other major league team, had barely seen Chapman pitch, so his refusal disappointed them. Mejia mentioned that Chapman wanted a free-agent contract worth $50 million to $60 million. Without getting a chance to extensively evaluate him, the Yankees would not offer a fraction of that amount.

...

Joe Kehoskie, an agent who has represented Cuban defectors for 11 years, said Chapman “might have more upside than any pitcher on the planet.” But in terms of being ready for the major leagues, Kehoskie added that Chapman “is a strong candidate for being the fool’s gold of the current free-agent market” because he is still developing complementary pitches and working on his control.

He also pointed out Chapman's modest stats in Cuba where he is a career 24-21 with a 3.72 ERA in four seasons. He has struck out379, but also walked 210 in 341.2 innings. Last year he had a very average 4.03 ERA in 118.1 innings.

I don't like the fact that the Yankees weren't allowed to see him throw, but maybe after defecting and going through the process of becoming a free agent he wasn't in game shape.

Either way, I still don't have a problem with the Yankees throwing some money at a work in progress, especially one that throws 100 MPH and is still just 21.

Chapman Has A New Agent

According to Sam Borden, Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman has fired his agent, Edwin Mejia, and has signed on with the Hendricks Brothers. One of the Hendricks Brothers clients is Andy Pettitte, another is another Cuban defector, Angels first baseman Kendry Morales. Jennings speculates that that could have been one of the reasons for the switch.

This may or may not effect the Yankees chances at landing the 21-year-old fireballer. Maybe Andy Pettitte can push him the Yanks way.

Chapman To Meet With MLB's Top Guns

Ardolis Chapman, the highly coveted Cuban pitcher, will meet with top MLB teams (payroll and talent-wise) in NY soon. Teams included are the Boston Red Sox, Mets, LA Dodgers and Angels, the A's and Giants have shown interest, and of course, the Yankees. Here's some other stuff from Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN Mag:

"Prized Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman will arrive in New York on Wednesday to begin a series of meetings with several general managers, Chapman's agent Edwin Mejia confirmed.

"The 21-year-old will visit several cities, Mejia said, but the agent would not confirm a specific itinerary. It's expected he will visit with officials from the Yankees and the Red Sox, among others.
...
"Chapman, who is considered by some to be the best Latin amateur to ever enter the free agent market, is expected to command a contract anywhere from $40-60 million.

It is believed the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will be the top bidders."

The full article is here. Well, I wouldn't mind the Yankees going in after him, just as long as it doesn't take focus off their goal right now. And I REALLY don't want the BoSox to get him. How 'bout you guys?