Aroldis Chapman

[TonyStarks]

Found a very in depth article on Chapman....if anyone is interested.




Particulars:

LHP
Fastball: 93-96MPH (Touching 97-99)
Curve: 69-75MPH
Slider: 79-83MPH
Also uses Changeup/Cutter

Arm Slot: 3/4 Angle


LINK (http://www.baseball-intellect.com/aroldis-chapman-everything-you-need-to-know/)

[lhslancers]

20 MPH difference between the heat and the curve. Nice. Looks a bit like Doc Gooden.

[DoubleX]

I've read much to the effect that he'll be a project, having to improve command and learn how to pitch. I fear he would just be the next in the line of Hideki Irabu and Jose Contreras if signed.

[TonyStarks]

Looks like Aroldis is going to sign with Cincy for a 5-6 year deal.

[Domenic]

As it stands, it sounds like Chapman will earn $30 M over five years, with an option for a sixth. He'll earn $1 M in 2010, and a fair amount of the money will be deferred over through 2019.

I feel like the deal, as I understand it, would have been worthwhile. With much of it being deferred, the team would never really take a large single-season hit (should Chapman not pan-out), so the $30 M appears far less intimidating. Excepting Stephen Strasburg, I would argue that Chapman's ceiling is higher than any pitcher drafted in the last decade . . . and certainly higher than most pitchers that would slip down to the Yankees. With Vizcaino being dealt, I would have liked to see his slot filled by Chapman, to boot.

In the end, though, I'm not terribly disappointed.

[NJYankeeFan]

I wanted to get him but if the Yanks, Red Sox, Angels, Blue Jays and even the Marlins weren't willing to go there then I will trust their judgement.

I mean Cincy probably outbid others by a ton. They would have had to. I can't imagine Chapman wanting to play there.

[Tinyballer]

Its good that we didn't sign him. If we did we would be giving 30 million to a guy thats going to be in single A. He is no sure thing. He has never dominated any division of baseball even though he has very intimidating stuff. Stephen Strasburg has shown he can dominate and dominate at a very high level and has two elite pitches in his fastball and curveball. Chapman has not struggling in Cuban Leagues as well as the WBC. He has potential elite pitches but he doesn't have anything made. So Chapman if anything is a high variable and should not be given that much money. Also, if you give a guy that much money and give him the chance to walk at around 2012 or 2013, you are not reaping the reward for developing him even if he does develop. If he develops he can opt out and sign a new much more lucrative contract, if he doesn't he rides out his rookie contract and take that 30 mil.

The Yankees though have money are now spending their money wisely and thats nice to see.