January 10, 201016 yr Author Both teams backed off when their scouts projected him as a bullpen pitcher due to control and maturity issues. Big move for the Reds it will probably make or break them the next couple of years. That's a ton of money for someone that age. If he learns to pitch he'll be a steal, if his makeup issues keep him from becoming what he can be his contract will be a killer for Cincy. They backed off of him because they can afford to wait & see if he pans out. Chapman's value will remain through the roof because of his physical skills. I just wonder how long it takes until we find out that he's really 26.
January 10, 201016 yr The deal is spread over "many" years and won't cost the Reds all that much till 2014.
January 10, 201016 yr They backed off of him because they can afford to wait & see if he pans out. Chapman's value will remain through the roof because of his physical skills. I just wonder how long it takes until we find out that he's really 26. That's always a possibility. :lol: But, since he's listed as 21 I'd say its safe to say he's within 2-3 years of that, it would be a bigger deal if he said he was 27 and was 32 or something. As for the waiting and seeing part, that's only partially true. If either of those teams thought that he had the makeup to be a frontline starter and they could lock him up for 5 years at that price they'd be all over it. There's no way they'd wait and pay him $15 Million+ per season in 5 years. He could be an absolute steal for the Reds but if the other scouts are right and they're wrong his contract would be an albatross. Either way it'll be fun to see how he pans out. I don't think I would be too quick to pencil him in to the rotation this season though.
January 10, 201016 yr Author It's official... http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2010/01/10/chapman-details/ The deal with left-hander Aroldis Chapman is for $25 million over five years with a player option for a sixth. His salary for 2010 will be in $1 million range. It’s a major league deal and it’s spread out over 10 years. The first year it will be a major burden on the big league budget is 2014. Aroldis has thrown as hard as 102 mph. He hit 98 at workout in Houston. I have no idea of how good Aroldis might be. The signing is a risk. But you’ve got to applaud the Reds for taking it. If the scouts are right and Aroldis is No. 1 starter, you’re looking at rotation of Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Chapman and Mike Leake in the not so distant future. The Reds think that there’s a chance Chapman will make it to the big leagues this year.
January 10, 201016 yr With a player, instead of team option for the last year they'll probably only have to pay $25 million if he's successful. This signing has a lot of upside for the Reds. Hopefully it'll work out--even if it takes him 2-3 years to really get it all together a lefty ace would be well worth the $25 million. If he can't harness his control or develop his changeup as a starter that isn't too much to pay a top bullpen arm. Probably a chance well worth taking.
January 10, 201016 yr Nice call. :lol: I nailed this one didn't I. I am utterly shocked the Reds signed him. I'm concerned with why the Yankees and Red Sox backed off signing him with the money they have to throw around. It would be great if he pans out.
January 11, 201016 yr This is awesome. Is he the 5th starter opening day? Almost all scouts agree that he isn't ready for the big leagues right now, especially as a starter.
January 11, 201016 yr It is a risk but I think teams in the Reds position have to take risk like this one. If it pays off they could have one of the best rotations in the league in a couple of years. Lots of if's but it sure is nice to be excited about something they are doing.
January 11, 201016 yr Author It sounds like he'll start in AAA, but the Reds are open to moving him up to the big leagues if / when he dominates AAA.
January 11, 201016 yr It sounds like he'll start in AAA, but the Reds are open to moving him up to the big leagues if / when he dominates AAA. With an arm like his I think it would be a good move to assign him a personal pitching coach/security blanket like Soto to stay with him and work on his mental makeup. For what I've read that is as big a detriment to him as his control problems.
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