On Sunday, 20-year old Aroldis Chapman, who signed a six-year, $30.25-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, made his first start for Class-AAA Louisville Bats. It was an electrifying debut for one who is sure to become baseball’s next big thing.

Chapman’s fastball hit 101 mph on the radar gun and stayed in the high 90s throughout the game. He gave up no earned runs and allowed five hits (all singles) and one walk in 4 2/3 Innings pitched against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Amazingly, he struck out nine batters and of his 85 pitches, he threw 55 of them for strikes. Over a quarter of his pitches were 98-mph or faster. Wow…

“No debut compares to that at this level,” Louisville manager Rick Sweet said. “As soon as the radar gun hit 100, you could hear the buzz in the ballpark.”

All we can do now is see him and weep…

Back as early as October, we wrote that the Mets would kick the tires on Chapman, but only for appearances sake. Sadly we were right.

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.

The Cuban left-hander, whose defection sparked a bidding war among major league teams that coveted his 102-mph fastball, should have been priority number one for a team whose rotational is questionable at best and whose best pitching prospects are 2-3 years away.

On December 27th I wrote about my frustration regarding the Mets inept and lackadaisical approach to the pitching market and their failure to make an offer to quite possibly the best lefthanded prospect in the game. I wrote,

As the Mets continue signing these risk/reward type players like Kelvim Escobar, Ryota Igarashi, and Clint Evert, all of whom have considerable risk, but came cheap, why haven’t the Mets made a play for what could be the best risk/reward player on the market as well as the best and healthiest starting pitcher still left?

I also laid out a potential game plan for Chapman’s short and long term future for the Mets if we were lucky enough to acquire him and also pointed out that in the grand scheme of things, the Cuban phenom was a bargain compared to Lackey and others.

Chapman has been compared to phenom Stephen Strasburg, last year’s #1 overall pick by the Nationals. That’s a heck of a comparison if you were to ask me, and it could mean the Mets would get themselves a potential ace left-handed starter to replace Johan Santana at the end of his contract. Until then, Chapman could become a viable number two starter that would certainly fill the Mets needs and for a lot less than they would have had to pay Roy Halladay or John Lackey for just one year.

The Mets would eventually sit on their hands once again, and only watch as a low market team like The Cincinnati Reds whisked the young fire-baller away.

At an average of $5 million dollars per year for the next six years, what a bargain… Think about that as you watch Oliver Perez and John Maine try to rebound against the Rockies and Cardinals at a combined $16 million in salary this season.

You want to talk about calling out Jerry Manuel for admitting his was ”unprepared” for the Nationals? Well then you better add Omar Minaya into the fire for being “unprepared” for dealing with the pitching market this past offseason.

Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, whose defection sparked a bidding war among major league teams that coveted his 100-mph fastball, agreed Sunday morning to sign for $30 million with the Cincinnati Reds, sources close the negotiations told Yahoo! Sports.

By now I’m sure you all know the whole story about how Chapman defected, and how he once hit 102 mph on the radar gun, and all the Stephen Strasburg comparisons, and when he miraculously parted the Red Sea, yada, yada, yada…

I am so glad this saga has mercifully come to an end. All those wrong predictions that spawned thousands of needless blog posts that are now all so meaningless.

Once again the Heyman’s and Rosenthal’s of the world were dead wrong, and nobody saw this coming… Just like the Jason Bay deal…

I can’t even count how many times it was reported that Chapman was close to signing with the Blue Jays or the Red Sox or the Marlins or the Angels or the Bad News Bears…

Who will they inaccurately fixate on now?

As for the defector who launched a thousand blogs… good luck in Cincy dude, that is if you ever make it that far…

Additionally, Juan Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel reported that Chapman told one associate that he expects to sign a new contract within the next three to four days.

Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the Mets are not pursuing Chapman at all.

There’s no telling how much truth there is to any of this. The fact is that so many of these sources eventually are proven wrong. I find it hard to believe that the Mets would simply pass on such a talent, especially when you consider how much they have invested in developing players from Latin countries in the past.

It is believed that Chapman will ultimately sign a deal worth between $20 – $25 million dollars.

The Mets tend to be good for at least one big signing or trade per offseason, big being a relative term (See : Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez.), and I do think we’ll be seeing at least one big move. Personally, I feel it will be Jason Bay, and I agree with that course of action (Only because Lackey and Halladay are off the market.) In any case, I figured I’d take the time to weigh on current NYM activity and put my spin on things.

Jason Bay: The Mets need Jason Bay as much as Jason Bay needs the Mets. They seem to be his only suitor right now, and frankly, I am fine with that. I want Jason Bay over Matt Holliday, because I feel he’d be better suited for Citi Field. Now don’t get me wrong here, because I’ll make this clear. The Mets need pitching more than offense, and at that, good pitching. But right now, the biggest thing that can be done to help the team is bolstering the offense. Admittedly, five years is a long contract. My offer at the moment : 4 Years at 68 MM with fifth year vesting option.

Bengie Molina: Bengie Molina is a very interesting option because he can produce offensively at the C position, but he is aging and asking for a lot of length in his contract. He is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, but he might accept a two-year deal. Right now the Mets offer is one-year with an option, and I agree with this. We don’t need Molina, but he would be nice. Be wary however, Mets fans, because Josh Thole is no Mike Piazza.

Orlando Hudson: Orlando Hudson’s name always comes up because he reportedly always wants to play for the Mets. Honestly, even Kelly Johnson might be a better option at 2B for the Mets, because I personally consider Luis Castillo a liability in the Mets offense. I think the Mets need Brandon Phillips at 2B, not Hudson. However, I would take Hudson over Castillo. The Mets should revisit Castillo-Byrnes and Byrnes would make a decent 4th OF.

Joel Pineiro: I’ll keep this one simple. No. I don’t want him, and someone else can have him. He pitched 200 Innings for the first time since what, 2003? I don’t want him. Dave Duncan can keep him. Yes, admittedly, he won’t do horrible at Citi Field, but he wants 10 MM per year, and I don’t want to be the team that gives it to him.

Aroldis Chapman/Yuniesky Maya: Again, this one seems simple enough. Yes. I want them both. Chapman alot more than Maya, but believe me, these two could go a long way for the future of the Mets, even if they end up being traded. I like what I have heard about Chapman, and his price tag is definitely more appealing to me than Pineiro’s.

Ben Sheets/Erik Bedard: Yes, I’d be the guy to give Ben Sheets 12 MM if he proved to me his arm is healthy. I’m not kidding. I’d rather give Sheets 2/20 than Joel 3/30. Call me crazy, but if Sheets is healthy, he is an ace pitcher for any team. He’s a risk, yes, but he’s a gamble I would take. If Bedard could be had for less than 4 MM, I’d take him. He used to be somewhat of an ace for Baltimore, in a hitter’s park in the AL east. That’s something to think about.

Kelvim Escobar/Ryota Igarashi/Clint Everts: I love all of these signings. They were cheap, and a couple of these guys can be effective weapons for the Mets late in games. For about a combined 3 MM, the Mets may have found effective 7th and 8th inning relievers. I’m just going off upside, don’t quote me on that. Clint Everts was a coveted arm and may actually be of some use to the Mets in 2010.

Now this is all purely opinion and speculation, but I’d like to hear what you’ve got to say in response. Later this week, I’ll try to get something up about what players I feel the Mets should be going after for cost-effective solutions.

In kind of a surprising move last week, although not really, the Florida Marlins jumped into the sweepstakes for Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman. The Marlins reportedly offered the young phenom a five-year deal for $13 million dollars. That averages out to about $2.5 million annually.

The Red Sox have reportedly offered a similar five year deal for a little more at $15 million dollars.

As the Mets continue signing these risk/reward type players like Kelvim Escobar, Ryota Igarashi, and Clint Evert, all of whom have considerable risk, but came cheap, why haven’t the Mets made a play for what could be the best risk/reward player on the market as well as the best and healthiest starting pitcher still left?

We’ve all heard and read about the 22-year old defector who has many scouts drooling over his 102 mph fastball, but with a Mets bullpen still short a left-hander, why not take a shot on this kid and break him in as a reliever at first sort of like the Yankees did with Joba Chamberlain?

It’s been said by many, that Aroldis Chapman would easily be the overall number one pick if he were to be eligible for the Amateur Draft in June. If that is truly the case, shouldn’t the Mets (who didn’t even have a first round pick in 2009) be “all-in” on a player of this caliber and this much potential?

The Jason Bay saga continues for yet another day as both sides continue to hold firm on their positions. The Mets of course, are yet unwilling to budge from their original 4 year offer, while the Bay camp insists it will take a deal longer than 4 years for them to agree. Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes,

The Mets continue to hold to their position that they don’t need to significantly improve their offer of four years for approximately $65 million, at least not until they are convinced that the 31-year-old Bay has a better alternative.

My biggest fear is that as long as the Mets remain in this holding pattern, some team can still swoop in, make a substantially better offer, and pull the rug out from under the Mets. Ken Davidoff of Newsday reported that the Mets expected to hear back from Jason Bay today. Hopefully, this could lead to some sort of resolution. 

Mets Get Their Setup Man

The Mets finally made it official and announced the signing of Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two-year, $3 million dollar deal. Igarashi will essentially replace J.J. Putz and become the Mets’ setup man for closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old righthander went 3-2 with three saves and a 3.19 ERA in 56 games last season.

“We’ve had an interest in Ryota for two years,” GM Omar Minaya said in a statement “He’s got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger .”

From all accounts, this looks like a great signing for the Mets and at reasonable cost as well. Igarashi was considered the hardest thrower in Japan and features a mid-nineties fast ball among his repertoire.

A National Treasure?

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes the Mets and Phillies are among several teams who are interested in the recently on-tendered relief pitcher Mike MacDougal, formerly of the Nationals.

MacDougal, 32,  was 20 for 21 in save opportunities last season after joining the Nationals. The right hander has a career ERA of 4.09 with 70 saves in 314 games.

He has a very heavy fastball that sits at around 96-97 mph, along with a plus slider, and an average change-up and curve ball. He has been plagued with control problems throughout his career.

I’m not sure what the interest is here… With Igarashi already on board, as well as right handers Sean Green, Brian Stokes and Bobby Parnell, I don’t see the logic in adding another RH reliever, especially one that will probably get a multi year deal averaging a minimum of $3 million annually.

Mets Still Interested In Cuban Free Agent

Jorge Arangure of ESPN says that 21 year-old Cuban free-agent Aroldis Chapman threw about 50 pitches for dozens of scouts representing about 15 MLB teams in Houston.

Arangue’s report suggests that the results of the exhibition were somewhat inconclusive. Due to bad weather the workout took place indoors. Chapman wore sneakers, and threw about 40-50 pitches off a wooden mound reaching as high as 97 mph, though mostly in the 92-93 mph range. He did not face any live batters.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN (via MetsBlog),

“Some evaluators view Chapman as a left-handed Stephen Strasburg, who was the No. 1 pick in the MLB draft last year.”

You had me at Strasburg… Chapman is young, has electric stuff and is left handed… All qualities that would keep me very interested and engaged. If he is really a “number one overall” caliber talent, the Mets should make every attempt to reel him in.

But here is where I’m having a hard time….I read a report in USA Today a few days ago about the winners and losers of the winter meetings.  The Mets were not considered to be a winner or a loser.  Think about that.  By being neither, the Mets have cemented themselves as being apathetic and non-committal to the whole hot stove process.  And if you are not intent on improving your team, you are destined to lose more games than you win.  It’s that simple.

And then this morning, I read this piece on Yahoo Sports about Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, he of the 97 mph fastball.  Dude had a throwing session yesterday in which big league scouts were on hand and here are the teams they mentioned that sent a representative: Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Nationals, Marlins, A’s and Orioles.  Of course, there were 15 teams represented in all, so there is no telling if the Mets did indeed send someone, but the writer didn’t mention them.  That’s either because the Mets did not care enough to send a scout, or because the writer did not care enough to mention the Mets.  Either way, it’s adding more fuel to the apathy fire.  Because really, why wouldn’t you go overpay like crazy for a guy like Chapman, who not only throws 97 mph, but is a LEFTY who could neutralize those big bats of the Phillies.

I think the version of the Mets you see now is what you’re going to get in April, plus maybe the return of Carlos Delgado.  And wow, what a heartwarming thought that is during the hot stove league season.

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!

A report on ESPN suggesters that the New York Yankees have already shown interest in the lefty and will most likely be one of the top suitors.

Chapman’s fastball has been clocked at 102 mph when he appeared at the World Baseball Classic earlier this year. Other teams who have show interest include the Red Sox, Cubs. Angels and Dodgers. There has been nothing reported that suggests that the Mets will have any interest.

Chapman defected from the Cuban national team in August during a tournament in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and has been living in Barcelona, Spain ever since.

On 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.

Under normal circumstances, I would love to see the Mets jump into the bidding pool, but considering their current position, the Mets don’t have the luxury of playing around with a guy like Chapman and need to sign a solid proven starter. No matter what you read about this pitchers talent, let’s not forget he has been competing against what amounts to Class-AA type competition.