Aroldis Chapman?

Roy Halladay is heading to the Phillies, and out of the AL (thank god). John Lackey is heading to the Sox. The two big pitchers that were on the market are now gone. If the Yankees wanted to sign a big pitcher, well, their chance is over.

Cashman still, however, has some pitchers to look at. One is Ben Sheets, who would be a good option in my mind. He'd be low priced with a ton of upside. Remember, he's the one who started for the NL in the All-Star Game at the Stadium in 2008. Another is Justin Duchscherer. Although I would prefer he doesn't come to the Yanks because of the depression issues. NY could kill him. Anybody who has had depression issues who's name isn't Grienke should not be considered. Chien-Ming Wang, although I still don't want to give up hope that he could be back, looks like he's leaving as well. I really hope he comes back. Look at the guy 2 years ago. Injuries, and all of a sudden they give up on him? I hope, if he doesn't come back, it doesn't bite the Yankees back. 

There is another option though. A little more expensive than some of these, but it could work out. That man is Aroldis Chapman. The Cuban Defector is 21 years old (VERY young). Throws 100 miles an hour. Has the ability to be a dominant, front line pitcher in the major leagues. He's the type of pitcher that would succeed in the postseasosn. I actually think that the Yankees have a good shot to get him. Here's why.

The number of teams willing, or that have the ability to, pay Chapman just went down, as the Phillies and Red Sox probably are out of that now that they have each gotten and signed big pitchers (I'll be shocked if Halladay doesn't sign a huge extension). The Yankees still have that ability. And with less teams to compete with, they have a better shot at it.

Chapman recently also fired his agent. His replacement is the Hendricks brothers, who represent Andy Pettitte. I have heard that the Yankees have very good relations with the Hendricks brothers. When you're friendly with a persons agent, I'm sure it always helps.

The Yankees need for a pitcher, I think, is higher than many of the other teams that can pay him. Cash has constantly said, pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching. Thats his goal. To improve pitching. The Yankees rotation right now if CC, A.J., Andy, Hughes, Joba. Not good after the first three. We have no idea how Hughes and Joba will perform. And if there are the "Hughes rules", then there is no way that Hughes is in the rotation all year. Plus, there are injury possibilities. The Yanks are thin in pitching depth right now. They could use someone like Chapman on board.

I'm not sure how much this last one has to do with anything, but Aroldis Chapman visited Yankee Stadium and watched during the World Series. He has already experienced what the atmosphere of playing at Yankee Stadium is (and he should know that no other ballpark compares). Maybe after seeing that, he wants to play in that atmosphere? Thats complete speculation, but you never know.

I really think that the Yankees have a better chance to get him than most people think. Do I want him? Only at the right price. They should negotiate, and not overpay, because he is unproven in the majors. Maybe around 15 million should be their ceiling? I don't know. However, he does have a world of talent. He's young. And, at the right price, it's a risk I would think that the Yankees should be willing to take. Thoughts?