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

Rumored to be roughly twice the cost of Strasburg. No wonder owners love the draft.

Yeah Baby!!

Coolest thing the Reds have done in a LONG time.

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Originally Posted by M2

Can he hit?

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Moves Micah to LF.

Do we have to re-do our prospect rankings?

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Originally Posted by JaxRed

Do we have to re-do our prospect rankings?

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Yes. More on that later.

OH MY GOD! *faints from the shock*

I'd heard the rumors, but I didn't think there was any chance of it being true! WOW! I guess that's ONE way to redeem an offseason. :O)

Its official, the Reds now have serious young pitching depth.

Bailey
Cueto
Chapman
Volquez
Leake

I am stoked!!!

i just read all 250 comments on this story at MLB Trade Rumors. people all think it was a ton of money for someone who is raw and needs time at AA/AAA. However most were disappointed their team didn't get Chapman.
people are wondering what the Reds plan is. (aren't we all). are the Reds stacking the deck for 2011? are the Reds gonna move Arroyo or Harang to free up cash now that we have signed Chapman??

I am flabbergasted.

Beflummoxed.

Stunned.

I have been as mad at Cast as anyone, but props to him for okaying this, and Jocketty for getting it done.

Puts a real spring in my step for the upcoming camp. Wow. A power lefty to project into a Cueto and Bailey rotation? Yes please. Yes. Please.

if chapman becomes even just an average major league pitcher 6million a year is a bargain. love the deal, now move arroyo or harang for a SS and we will be heading to the playoffs by 2011!

At six million a year, guy is a lot cheaper than a big league TOR starter. His first year or even two may be in the minors, but the overall outlay of funds makes sense.

Of course, the signals are strong that Harang, Arroyo, or both will be gone by the end of 2010, if not sooner.

No doubt that this is an excellent gamble by the Reds. But it presents a dilemma for the sports media which are now faced with prominently mentioning the Reds this off season.

Consider my mind blown. Holy hell.

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Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

OH MY GOD! *faints from the shock*

I'd heard the rumors, but I didn't think there was any chance of it being true! WOW! I guess that's ONE way to redeem an offseason. :O)

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x2

Who are these Reds and why are they making smart moves to improve the team?!? It's been so long since we've been able to celebrate a move like this that I honestly don't know how to react to it.

I do know that I'm 50% less disaffected with the Reds now than I was ten minutes ago. Massive kudos to Walt and BCast for this one.

They appear to be paying him like they expect 7 WAR over 5 years. Assuming at least 1 yr of the contract is eaten by the minors, that means the break even point would be that of a 1.8 WAR/year pitcher. In other words, they're paying him like he's a 2009 version of Arroyo, Cueto or Doug Davis.