Chapman Defects

by ~ July 1st, 2009 at 10:46 pm

Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban starter who made a name for himself during WBC play this Spring, has defected from the Cuban National Team and plans on signing with a Major League club.

Chapman has terrible control and lacks polished secondary offerings but three things make him an extremely valuable commodity: he’s left handed, has a fastball in the upper 90s and is just 21 years old [allegedly].

This is more baseball news than Mariner news, and Chapman may demand a price too big for Seattle, but his situation will be one worth monitoring.

«
»

  • http://riseinside.net/blog riseinside

    Unless we think our coaching staff can teach control then I really don’t want any part of the bidding for Chapman. Not that I think the M’s can outspend the Yankees, who I am sure will be all over him.

    Is he any different than other LH flamethrowers that have come threw and flamed out?

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I’d love to have him but would be annoyed if my team laid down the kind of cash that is going to be required, unless my team was the Bankees or Red Sox. $30M+ at very least I think.