The Mets finally met with sought after lefthander Aroldis Chapman and his agent on Friday. According to Newsday, but it was unclear if they discussed financial parameters with the 21-year-old Cuban defector.
Chapman began meeting with several teams on Wednesday when he arrived in New York, and he also plans to meet with the Yankees, Red Sox and Cardinals in the next few days.
It’s not known how much the Mets are really interested in Chapman and it looks like they may only be engaged for appearances sake in my opinion.
Several sources believe that Chapman may be looking for a contract in the range of $40 million to $60 million.
The young southpaw has been clocked at 100 MPH and is considered to be one of the top three young pitchers in the world.
Of course most teams are probably drooling over the possibility of adding a pitcher that is projected by most scouts to be a dominant ace pitcher that is Major League ready. But in the end, nobody may have the stomach for going toe to toe with the Yankees and Red Sox who will most likely end up with the lefty phenom.
Here is a short bio that was prepared by his agent:
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz
Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 6′ 4″ Weight: 185 lb.
Born: February, 28, 1988 in Cayo Mambí, Frank País, Holguín, Cuba
* Has a wife and young daughter as well as parents and two sisters still living in Cuba
* Holds the Cuban National Series record for fastest pitch thrown in a game at 102 mph.
* Has a fastball (two seam or four seam), sinking fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and a forkball
* Led the Cuban National Series twice in strikeouts in 2006-2007 and 2008-2009.
* Was recognized as the top left handed pitcher in Baseball World Cup in 2007.
* Defected from the Cuban National Team on July 1, 2009 while participating in the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands
* Signed a representation agreement with Athletes Premier International (API) for contract negotiation and marketing on July 13, 2009
* Obtained provisional passive residency status in the country of Andorra on September 21, 2009
* On September 25, 2009 was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball following their investigation and the United States Department of the Treasury licensed Chapman as an unblocked National of Cuba
The Mets have spent much time asserting that they intend to spend this off season, and a report on Wednesday revealed that the Wilpons made money with Madoff as opposed to losing money as so many had earlier reported.
That said, while the Mets should be “all in” on pitcher with so much potential, they’ll most likely sit on the sidelines and watch with the other small market teams. Unlike the Yankees, who could really use a 21 year old, lefthanded prospect that has a sinking 100 mph fastball and four other plus pitches, the Mets have no such need at this time. NOT!
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
Why do you automatically make the assumption that the Mets will not be serious bidders for Chapman? Until I read your post I’ve seen nothing that would indicate that the Mets were not interested in him. Why would they go to all the trouble of meeting with him? I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the way you dismiss the Mets part in this as if it’s some sort of a publicity stunt is unfair.
just read a similar view of the Mets ‘non-interest’ in the News. i have no clue what to think. You’d think that if this guy does have that kind of ’stuff’, ANY major-market team, including the Mets, would be interested. Maybe, especially the Mets given their historical propensity for pitching, their focus on talent in the Caribbean, and their very real and very current need for pitching.
I really hope it’s not just going through the motions as u indicate, and that the mets are truly interested in this guy.. he could end up being the next Johan! but with a 100 mph fastball. my first choice for this team would be Lackey, he’d be the perfect number 2, but it’s unclear if he wants to pitch in NY, so if not him I’d use the money to sign Chapman and a guy like Harden. two for one, higher risk higher reward
21 years old, left handed and he’s throwing 100 mph? And we’re twiddling our thumbs deciding on if we go after John Lackey? Here’s a prediction. It’s 2015 and the Yankees are going to their seventh straight World Series. Jeter, Rivera and Posada are all gone.
Ardolis Chapman will be the youngest pitcher to 100 wins and will already have three world series rings on his fingers.
His battery mate Joe Mauer will catch a no-hitter in game one of the 2015 World Series as Chapman stifles the mighty Florida Marlins in the Yankees 8-0 win. For Chapman it is his 15th post season win against no losses.
Talking about going a lil overboard for a pitcher who has never thrown a single pitch in the MLB.
Guys – don’ get too far ahead of yourselves. Consider the following:
-Sure Chapman can hit 100mph, but go back to the WBC, and you’ll see that he generally sits in the 92-93 range
-Chapman has zero control of breaking stuff. This kid who you are offering $40-$60M to will start the year in the minors
-The kid has a bad attitude, as he had constantly shown up umps in the WBC
-Against competition from the Cuban league, which is similar to AA, he hardly dominated. A pitcher with his talent should be able to blaze right through.
Personally, I see warning flags with this kid. GIven the Mets needs this year, and somewhat limited resources, it would be fiscally irresponsible to go all in on this kid. Especially when you have a younger Japanese pitcher, a lefty who throws 95, who has a more well rounded arsenal, and who won’t nearly cost as much. I do think they met with Chapman for appearance sake, and I can’t blame him. The Mets, I think, are wise to stay away.
And don’t forget, being that the Cuban leagues aren’t covered as greatly as MLB is here everyone is going on Chapman’s agents word.
His only widely seen body of work is the stint he put in at the WBC which as we know with Ollie P could be some lucky games.
And judging by El Duque’s age whose to say he is really only 21?
Too many question marks.
And also, it could be a negotiating tactic to say there is no real interest. But then again this team sometimes lacks tact.
You think the mets got their principle investment back from madoff? he just sent them checks when they started complaining. this guy stole 50 billion dollars! He had to send out “dividends” to alleviate suspicion. I am sure they lost their principle investment. everybody did.
“I am sure they lost their principle investment. everybody did.” Not so. Everybody did not lose their money in Madoff. Part of keeping up the appearance of legitimacy, the Ponzi scheme runner would honor requests for fund withdrawals. The Wilpons made withdrawals against the Mets LP account with Madoff to the extent of 100% of contributions plus most of the accrued interest. They withdrew $48 mil more than their contribution. In essence, the Mets have funds that rightfully belong to other investors who did lose their deposits with Madoff. The Federal gov’t is processing clawbacks to repossess those ill gotten gains and restore the funds to the rightful owners. Ultimately, the Mets will have to pay back the ill gotten gains in their possession amounting to $48 mil. They will not get a free ride on this, the $ will have to be paid back. I contend that the Mets secrecy was motivated by a desire to hang onto the ill gotten gains. In effect, they were stealng from the true owners who got cheated. It’s one thing to be tough in business negotiations, it’s another thing to knowingly and willfully cheat others. If true, this reveals an ethical flaw in the moral fibre of the Wilpons. The truth will be revealed in time as the clawbacks go into effect.
I don’t know much about these things but the Wilpons I’m sure didn’t know they invested with a crook when they got their money back, they just like most of Madoffs investors/victims were greedy, not questioning where the money came from but ignorance is not a crime. Having said that they will have to repay the money somehow. This Madoff scandal continues to get worse and worse for everyone involved, it’s a shame.
Anyone remember Mark Prior?? Here’s the Cuban version.
This article displays the skillful use of sarcasm with a very straight face. Characterizing the Mets as one of many small market teams having no use of highly talented pitching skills is very artful. It certainly portrays their ineptness as an organization very well. Congratulations HoJo for a very pointed story.
Mets have too many problems I think to invest the kind of money his agent is trying to get Chapman. He’s young but they play a lot of baseball in Cuba, who knows how taxed his arm is, especially when throwing a reported 100MPH. Lets not forget that everyone thought Dice K was the next big pitcher while good, he’s not a top of the rotation starter but making top of the rotation money.
Investing in these guys is always risky, you could get a great hurler but I do think the odds are in favor of not getting what you pay for more often than not.