Here he comes...

by NumberSeven on Sep 21, 2009 1:47 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

The new "It" guy will soon be a Free Agent:

Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world, petitioned Major League Baseball for free-agency status recently and is likely only weeks from becoming a free agent, according to his agent.

Early Monday, Chapman's representatives announced that the left-hander has established residency in Andorra, a tiny country of about 84,000 that borders Spain and France.

By establishing residency outside the United States, the 21-year-old Chapman avoids being subject to baseball's amateur draft. MLB must study his residency and legal paperwork before declaring him a free agent.

...

Since Chapman has a passport -- a rarity for Cuban defectors -- MLB is not expected to take much time in determining his free-agent status. Chapman's passport helps verify his identity and allows him to immediately apply for a visa to play in the United States. Once he is declared a free agent, teams can officially work him out and begin bidding for his services.

In an interview with ESPN in August, [Chapman's agent Edwin] Mejia said teams would have to come to Europe to work out the pitcher.

How high will the bidding go? And let's remember, this is not a polished professional. Chapman is raw, albeit raw with absolutely sick physical tools. I see another Red Sox-Yankees bidding war in the not too distant future.

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I hope not

Baseball Prospectus did some translations of his Cuban stats, and while it is educated guesswork, suffice it to say that he is WILD.

by 3460kuri on Sep 21, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

true...

but Id hope the Yanks do some more HW than guesswork.

If he’s wild throwing 102, maybe he can hone in his accuracy throwing 95?

Also, command issues are usually due to lack of lower body and back strength. Put him with a ML conditioning program, also better diet (I aint insinuating PED’s…but you never know what is out there anymore…so why not?)

Yanks got a ton of money to throw around.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Sep 21, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I put this in another post

But Cuban baseball is about the same quality as A level baseball in the US. Based on what his Cuban stats show, Aroldis Chapman = Dellin Betances = Andrew Brackman. Lots of potential, little control, and a long way from the majors.

by 3460kuri on Sep 21, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have we learned nothing...

From the countless unproven international pitchers who have signed huge contracts and been a total waste. Jose Contreras. Kei Igawa. Even Dice-K considering the amount of money that was spent on him. The problem with Chapman is that realistically he probably needs 2 years in the minors to hone his stuff but what team’s going to keep him down there that long while paying him the 10+ mil a year he’s going to get? With Joba and Hughes hopefully in the rotation next year the Yankees don’t need another project right now.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Sep 21, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please

You don’t shy away from international free agents because you have had some failure in the past. You’re going to say no to a young tall lefty with a plus plus fastball because the Yanks dropped the ball on Kei Igawa? Come on, that’s crazy talk.

Kids like this are what the 9 dollar beers and $2400 luxury seats pay for. If he’s really 21 years old and he spends 2 or three years in the minors that makes him 23 or 24 when he’s “mlb ready”. I’ll take that in a heartbeat. Staying away from him because we have Joba and Phil Hughes would be incredibly shortsighted and dumb. Pay the kid his money baby, this is what our new deathstar was built for.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Sep 21, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL @ deathstar

-I'm the straw that stirs the drink.........Then I drink the drink too.------You're Welcome.

by ReggieARodJeter on Sep 21, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not just about Igawa, who we all knew was a bad decision and a panicked reaction to the Red Sox getting Dice-K. We’ll throw that one out because Igawa’s problem is that he physically is not good enough for the major leagues. But still, people get fired up over these pitchers who no one’s ever really seen pitch over an extended period of time and as a result they get paid like they’re established MLB stars rather than prospects who may be good some day. It’s just bad business. Before the Yankees signed Jose Contreras it was reported that he threw 98 mph. Did he ever top 92 in the majors? Again if the Yankees were willing to sign Chapman and keep him in the minors for 2 years to let him learn how to pitch it might be worth it, but that never happens with these guys. The size of their contracts forces them into the majors too soon and it just becomes an unnatural and difficult way for a player to develop. It’s better to draft smart and spend the money on major leaguers.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Sep 21, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but the past can help you prepare for the future.

just wanted to throw that out there. i think if the red sox are going to try and get him we should try even harder. hell, this guy could be different. baseballs one crazy game.

whats a signature

by GTWYankee on Sep 21, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let the Red Sox get him

Again, we’re talking about a guy who’s played at the rough equivalent of A-ball for 3 or 4 years, and hasn’t really improved his greatest flaw (control) in any measurable way.

If you’re letting the past prepare you for the future, you’re going to pass on Chapman.

by 3460kuri on Sep 22, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs