Jeff Passan: Reds sign Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman to six-year deal (Financials TBD)

Yesterday, I thought he really might spend the entire year in the minores but after hearing Jocketty talk today, I really think he'll see a significant amount of time in the majors this year.

I wonder if it would be easier for him to acclimate to the US culture and learn English while playing in the big leagues rather than the minors? Maybe that's something that may be crossing the Reds minds, and why they hope he can start in the majors this year.

Either have him in relief, or use him sparingly as the fifth starter, and limit his innings.

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Originally Posted by Cyclone792

My prediction ...

Attendance will likely still stink this year, and Bob will demand that the Reds bring him up in June for the proverbial dog and pony show in order to boost up the numbers at the gates. It's a trick that we've seen before, and we'll likely see it again.

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Dear, Bob Short

Bite me

Yours Always

David Clyde.

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Originally Posted by TheNext44

I wonder if it would be easier for him to acclimate to the US culture and learn English while playing in the big leagues rather than the minors? Maybe that's something that may be crossing the Reds minds, and why they hope he can start in the majors this year.

Either have him in relief, or use him sparingly as the fifth starter, and limit his innings.

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Might not be a bad idea.

I'm really not so sure he'll see much time in the majors this year. Maybe, maybe not. Jocketty said the right things at the press conference. Seemed to me that he doesn't want to say anything that might seem limiting to the kid.

Can you imagine how other-worldly all this is for him, coming from Cuba to America at his young age? He's got a lot more to learn about living here than he does to learn about baseball.

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Originally Posted by RFS62

I'm really not so sure he'll see much time in the majors this year. Maybe, maybe not. Jocketty said the right things at the press conference. Seemed to me that he doesn't want to say anything that might seem limiting to the kid.

Can you imagine how other-worldly all this is for him, coming from Cuba to America at his young age? He's got a lot more to learn about living here than he does to learn about baseball.

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I agree. Let the kid get his feet on the ground and bring him up in August or September. He's not going to be a difference maker as far as winning the division is concerned this year. He's the future, so let's not blow it.

I say make him the No. 5 starter and limit his innings. With Volquez out, who else would fill out the starting 5? There's Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Bailey and ...???

Maloney? No thanks. Wood? Intriguing, but perhaps not ready. (And yes, I might be contradicting myself there since Chapman probably isn't ready either. Just ignore my contradictions please.) Owings? I like him in the bullpen. Lehr? Maybe, but I would prefer the young flamethrower over the aging soft-tosser. I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple guys, this is off the top of my head. But unless a clear No. 5 steps up, why not make it Chapman and limit his innings?

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Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

His full name is Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz.

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Whose isn't?

I LOVE having Owings as a bullpen arm because he can also work as a pinch-hitter... It's like having an extra roster spot...

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Originally Posted by REDblooded

I LOVE having Owings as a bullpen arm because he can also work as a pinch-hitter... It's like having an extra roster spot...

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I'll never understand this. Having him in the starting rotation makes sense because he can pinch hit the 4 days he doesn't start, but if he's the long reliever and you use him to PH you basically just burned one of your pitchers.

If you use him to pinch-hit for a pitcher, he starts the next inning as a pitcher no?

Reds make a 'bold move'
By C. Trent Rosecrans, CNATI.com
Posted January 11, 2010 10:40 PM ET

Since the season ended, the Reds downplayed their ability to make any big-ticket additions to their roster. On Monday, the team made its loudest free agent splash in perhaps team history, signing Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman to a six-year deal worth a guaranteed $30.25 million.

"When you look at the size market we're in here in Cincinnati, we have to make some bold moves from time to time to try to improve this franchise and make it better," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said on Monday. "We felt this was a significant move and in the right direction to make it better. This is a talent that doesn't come along very often and for the Cincinnati Reds to be able to step up and make this move is very significant and important."

Chapman, who was clocked at 100 m.p.h. at the World Baseball Classic, is one of the world's top free agent amateurs. Chapman defected from the Cuban national team in July and was granted free agency by Major League Baseball.

The Reds got involved sometime around the Winter Meetings and got serious about pursuing the top international free agent right before Christmas, Jocketty said. Chapman's agent, Randy Hendricks, said he told teams he wanted a deal done by Saturday. On Sunday, Chapman arrived in Cincinnati, had a physical and signed, just days after the Reds were first associated with Chapman.

"If you're watching a 10K run, they were always there, but they were never in the lead, so nobody talked about them," Hendricks said.

Chapman wanted to play for a team that had a chance to win, but he also wanted a chance at the big leagues as soon as possible. While most expected the Red Sox and Yankees to bid against each other for Chapman when he was granted free agency, his desire to play right away changed the playing field, allowing teams like the Reds to get into the bidding. Last week there was a report of an offer by the Blue Jays offer Chapman $23 million, the Angels and Marlins were also reportedly interested.

Among the things the Reds offered was a chance to pitch in the big leagues in 2010, something teams like the Red Sox and Yankees couldn't do.

"Here's the metaphor I used when teams expressed their concern that it'd be the highest bidder, New York or Boston: if I had a great first baseman from Cuba, do you think I'd call the St. Louis Cardinals first?" Hendricks said. "We wanted opportunity. Those teams were interested, but that was with the plan to emerge in 2012, we wanted it sooner."

At the end, Hendricks said three teams were involved: the Reds, the A's and another team, he declined to name. Several other teams, aside from the final three, made "strong offers," but in the end, the three teams made the most sense for Chapman.

"I always saw them I the race, but never in the lead," Hendricks said. "But let me tell you, they made a great sprint home."

The final contract includes a minimum of $30.25 million, to be paid over 10 years, including a $16.25 million signing bonus, paid out over time. There are incentives that could increase Chapman's deal, but regardless, Chapman's contract dwarfs that of last season's first-overall pick in the draft, Stephen Strasburg, who signed a four-year $15.1 million deal.

The difference between Strasburg's contract and Chapman's is the fact Strasburg was drafted, and Chapman was a free agent - "it's 30 teams, not one," said Hendricks, who along with his brother Alan also represents the Reds' Homer Bailey.

While the Reds, under their current budget, aren't players in the major league free agent market, aggressive international scouting and signing are priorities.

In the last couple of years, the team has signed top prospects Yorman Rodriguez and Juan Duran. Those two were signed when they were 16, Chapman will be 22 on Feb. 28. He has a longer track record, pitching in the World Baseball Classic and other international tournaments for the Cuban national team. He's been clocked at 102 m.p.h. and has what is projected to be a plus slider and is much closer to the big leagues than younger players signed from Latin America.

"We see it as a way in our market to compete," Jocketty said. "We've had to step up with bonuses with these guys, but we can't go out and sign the expensive major league free agents, we're trying to build through younger players in the draft and international signings. That's the way we're going to have to do it."

Despite Chapman's potential, there's still plenty of risk. On the field, Chapman's control has been questioned by many and his offspeed pitches are still works in progress. The Reds liked what they saw in his workout last month in Houston and expect him to work with Mario Soto on improving his changeup. Off the field, Chapman must adjust to a completely new culture. While players from all over Latin America must adjust to living in the United States, the jump from Cuba to the U.S. is even more drastic. Not only does Chapman go from a communist nation to a free market, he does so with a fortune in the bank.

While the risk is high, so is the reward -- Chapman could be another Randy Johnson and he's under team control for six years.

"They can afford to play this game," Hendricks said. "They say, 'we can play with anybody in this game, we can't compete with the (C.C.) Sabathias, when they're available as a finished risk, even a (John) Lackey.' It's a calculated risk by everyone, including Aroldis."

The risk, though, is biggest for the Reds. But the reward could be even bigger.

http://cnati.com/cincinnati-reds/red...d-move-001070/

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Originally Posted by westofyou

As for the question, Reds have only gone with 5 starters since the mid 70's, So I'll say the best 5 chances since 1992

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This staff wasn't bad

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1976.shtml

Or this one

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1970.shtml

and of course the real oldtimers have a soft spot for this one

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1961.shtml

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Originally Posted by forfreelin04

Boy, there were some famous Reds with that Number 54

Dave Revering (1976), David Moore (1978), Jose Brito (1981-1982), Rob Murphy (1985), Terry Lee (1986), Mary Berry (1987), Steve Foster (1992)

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You forgot the immortal Chad Mottola.

It was issued to Daryl Thompson last year, but he never played in an MLB game. The last Red to actually wear #54 was Jolbert Cabrera.

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Originally Posted by Jpup

#54? Wonder why he chose that.

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Originally Posted by 11larkin11

He wore 52 in Cuba because of his liking of Jose Contreras. DRH has 52 and Rhodes has 53

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I've always thought Herrera should wear a single-digit number. Like Junior said, he looks like a jockey.

It's always good to see a nice Irish boy do well.

I wonder what kind of Hispanic-speaking support (Manager/Pitching Coach/Catchers) they have in place in Lousiville. Might play a role in starting him in Cincy. They probably won't need a 5th starter much the first month.

Give Chapman a month of extended spring training with Mario and let Owings take the few 5th starter turns there are in April, the decide on Chapman come May 1. He probably isn't used to pitching in the cold nanyway.