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

[Raisor]

I think Fay was just saying we don't know the terms yet and threw that out there as a way to say it COULD be something. No way its for 10 years.

it IS Fay, so yes this is possible, but it's an awfully specific number.

[RedlegNation]

Not sure Fay is the best source on this one just yet...hasn't he been on furlough? He should be able to get through to Jocketty soon, though.

I'm guessing we'll find out very soon that it's 5 years, 30 million, officially.

[jojo]

10 years is, yes, a bit crazy. But 3 million a year is , well, a bit like highway robbery.

It's difficult to believe he'd sign for 10yr/$30M.

[RFS62]

This is fantastic. I'm officially off the disgruntled list.

[Raisor]

now, how about a shortstop?

[Raisor]

This is fantastic. I'm officially off the disgruntled list.

you're back to being gruntled?

[corkedbat]

it IS Fay, so yes this is possible, but it's an awfully specific number.

It's Fay, so it could be just a typo.

[OnBaseMachine]

Chapman makes Reds his destination
Reports indicate Cincinnati has landed coveted Cuban lefty
By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

01/10/10 3:09 PM EST

Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal with the Reds.

MLB.com has confirmed from a National League source that the team involved is the Reds.

The Reds' interest in the 22-year-old with a fastball clocked as high as 100 mph was originally reported by FoxSports.com on Friday. The club was one of many to see Chapman work out on Dec. 15 in Houston.

Cincinnati general manager Walt Jocketty has yet to return phone messages to comment on the reported acquisition of Chapman. But it still comes as a surprise if it's the Reds who signed Chapman, as the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees and Angels were believed to be the front-runners for the lefty's services, according to recent reports.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=cin

[Raisor]

Is Walt still out of the country? Maybe he should telecommute from now on if this is what he can do.

[RedlegNation]

It's Fay, so it could be just a typo.

Hilarious.

[BCubb2003]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4813486

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman appears to be closing in on an agreement to play with the Cincinnati Reds, though his agent said that no deal is complete.

One source told ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure that the Reds will sign Chapman, a coveted left-handed pitcher, to a deal believed to be worth $30 million.

Chapman's representatives said Sunday afternoon that the deal is not done and would not confirm the team, but did say the Reds are "possible."

"We have to wait still," agent Rodney Fernandez wrote to ESPN The Magazine in a text message in regards to a possible deal with the Reds. "It's possible. We'll see."

Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday that sources told it that Chapman would sign with the Reds.

[TheNext44]

The 10 years could refer to option years. Although 4 option years sounds like a lot.

[RedlegNation]

now, how about a shortstop?

We're never satisfied!

(BTW, I agree.)

[corkedbat]

I was away from the boards when Price was signed. Is he supposed to be good with young pitchers?

[RedsManRick]

What?! Really??!

That could mean a number of things -- options, deferred money, etc.