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Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4745486
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Scouts watch Cuban lefty throw
By Jorge Arangure Jr.
ESPN The Magazine
Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from about half the major league teams. In the morning at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and changeup.
Among the team representatives who attended were Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, Los Angeles Angels scouting director Eddie Bane, Florida Marlins vice president of player development Jim Fleming, Pittsburgh Pirates international scouting director Rene Gayo, and Baltimore Orioles international scouting director John Stockstill, according to sources. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, who are expected to be heavy bidders for Chapman, each had one area scout in attendance.
Several teams were expected to meet with Chapman after the workout, at the offices of his agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks. "I think it's important that he demonstrated that he's ready, that he's in shape, that he's throwing free and easy and that's what he did," Randy Hendricks told media outlets including MLB.com and KRIV-TV in Houston. "A lot of life on his pitches, threw real well. Not all-out, which is what we told the teams he would not do, but sufficient I think to let everybody know he's ready for prime time." According to KRIV, the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers also had representatives in attendance. "Everybody in baseball needed to see this and most everybody was here,"
Bane, the Angels' scouting director, said of the session, according to KRIV-TV. "He's a hard thrower from the left side," David Lakey, the national cross checker for the New York Mets, told MLB.com. "I think they said [he hit 96 mph on the radar gun]. That kind of arm is hard to find from the left side." According to sources, Boston is the only team known to have made an offer for Chapman, for $15.5 million.
But that offer was made a few weeks ago to his former agent, Edwin Mejia. In another development, Mejia's company Athletes Premier International sued Chapman's current agent, Hendricks Sports Management, Tuesday in Massachusetts state court. Mejia accused accused Hendricks of illegally interfering with its relationship with the pitcher. Mejia's company said it had spent several hundreds of thousands of dollars on Chapman's behalf. Randy Hendricks confirmed there are offers on the table for Chapman but did not disclose details, according to KRIV-TV.
Chapman, whose fastball was clocked at 102 mph at the World Baseball Classic this year, defected from the Cuban national team in July during a tournament in the Netherlands. Jorge Arangure Jr. writes for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Unless that scout was armed with a check for about $20M, the Reds are going JUST to watch... My guess is that he winds up an Angel.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
Unless that scout was armed with a check for about $20M, the Reds are going JUST to watch... My guess is that he winds up an Angel.
I'm guessing Red Sox or Yankees.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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I'm guessing Red Sox or Yankees.
If the Yankees want him, they'll get him.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
lollipopcurve
If the Yankees want him, they'll get him.
Exactly just how many starting pitchers do they need?
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
I thought he left Cuba to get away from the Reds? ;)
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Chip R
I thought he left Cuba to get away from the Reds? ;)
*rim shot*
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
The Reds know it doesn't cost anything to watch.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
Unless that scout was armed with a check for about $20M, the Reds are going JUST to watch... My guess is that he winds up an Angel.
Reds scout said:
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Ayup. He's a pitcher.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Said scout was dissapointed to find out upon arriving that Chapan's left arm was in fact still attached, and went home knowing he had no chance at signing the pitcher.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Another reason why the amateur draft needs to include players from foreign countries.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
savafan
Exactly just how many starting pitchers do they need?
You can never have enough starting pitching
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Krusty
Another reason why the amateur draft needs to include players from foreign countries.
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Originally Posted by
Highlifeman21
You can never have enough starting pitching
Agreed.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Krusty
Another reason why the amateur draft needs to include players from foreign countries.
I agree. I don't know just how it could or should be implemented but I'd like the idea of players from foreign countries being included in the amateur draft.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Ron Madden
I agree. I don't know just how it could or should be implemented but I'd like the idea of players from foreign countries being included in the amateur draft.
This sure would be an interesting draft. On one hand you have a 22 year old lefty pitcher with stuff but largely unknown. On the other hand you have Bryce Harper who many project to be the top overall pick in the 10 draft.
Chapman is young so he would likely be chosen early, but it would be very interesting to see a 25 year old Cuban defector or a 25 year old Dice K. How would a team value that player as opposed to a young prospect.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
bucksfan2
This sure would be an interesting draft. On one hand you have a 22 year old lefty pitcher with stuff but largely unknown. On the other hand you have Bryce Harper who many project to be the top overall pick in the 10 draft.
Chapman is young so he would likely be chosen early, but it would be very interesting to see a 25 year old Cuban defector or a 25 year old Dice K. How would a team value that player as opposed to a young prospect.
I'm not sure but I would think it would be pretty much the same as it is now, with different teams having different sets of values.
Either way I'm sure it would be a better and more fair and balanced system than we have now concerning players from foreign countries.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
savafan
Exactly just how many starting pitchers do they need?
The Red Sox are looking to trade for Adrian Gonzalez if you believe mlbtraderumors.com. If that's the case, they can sign this kid and deal off Bucholtz, Lester or one of their other young arms and replace them with Chapman.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
NJReds
The Red Sox are looking to trade for Adrian Gonzalez if you believe mlbtraderumors.com. If that's the case, they can sign this kid and deal off Bucholtz, Lester or one of their other young arms and replace them with Chapman.
Gasp! Take it back.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
That Harper kid would look good in a Reds uni.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Rumor has it that the NL Central are working together to sign Chapman, with him playing for each team every six days. His arm is golden, allowing him to throw up to 6,000 pitches a day with no reprucussions.
Note: I started this rumor. Right now.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Krusty
Another reason why the amateur draft needs to include players from foreign countries.
Its going to happen, just a matter of how soon it can be done. Baseball wants it to happen.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Must have been an advance scout getting a read on Chapman to give info to Red's hitters. No way its some one with any intentions of signing this kid.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
I'm actually surprised that the Reds spent the money to even send the scout to watch.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Homer Bailey
I'm actually surprised that the Reds spent the money to even send the scout to watch.
He carpooled with another scout and slept on someone's couch.
Had to bring his own food.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Raisor
He carpooled with another scout and slept on someone's couch.
Had to bring his own food.
You joke, but back in the Marge Schott days, she made the scouts pay for their own long distance phone calls to the club regarding their scouting reports.
Which makes sense, since they get paid so much and all they do is watch baseball games. :cool:
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
From a Baseball America chat yesterday:
Mac (Ca)
A's or Marlins on Chapman?
Jim Callis (3:07 PM)
Those rumors are out there, yes. Reds, too.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/onlin...09/269331.html
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
OnBaseMachine
Hmmmmm....interesting.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Callis may have meant the Red Sox.
If it is the Reds, kind of a rematch of the Michel Inoa sweepstakes, which pitted the Reds, A's and another team against each other.
I wouldn't be totally surprised if it's the Reds, but I would be seriously shocked if they sign him.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
lollipopcurve
Callis may have meant the Red Sox.
If it is the Reds, kind of a rematch of the Michel Inoa sweepstakes, which pitted the Reds, A's and another team against each other.
I wouldn't be totally surprised if it's the Reds, but I would be seriously shocked if they sign him.
If they can pull that off, I would imagine that Mets/Arroyo trade talks, that were predicated on moving parts comes back around.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
lollipopcurve
Callis may have meant the Red Sox.
If it is the Reds, kind of a rematch of the Michel Inoa sweepstakes, which pitted the Reds, A's and another team against each other.
I wouldn't be totally surprised if it's the Reds, but I would be seriously shocked if they sign him.
Then again, if the report is accurate, it is not as if their competition has deep pockets. Perhaps this is where the Rolen restructuring savings can be applied.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
If these are true, I wonder why the teams with big pockets have walked away? I acknowledge that might not be true.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
redsmetz
If these are true, I wonder why the teams with big pockets have walked away? I acknowledge that might not be true.
I was thinking the same thing.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
redsmetz
If these are true, I wonder why the teams with big pockets have walked away? I acknowledge that might not be true.
My guess is the high budget teams are waiting for the small budget teams to make Chapman some offers, which will be fairly low. That will kind of "set the market" for him. Then the Yankees or Red Sox will swoop in and bump it up by a few million and he will accept.
If the Yankees and Red Sox show strong interest from the the beginning it will jack up his financial expectations and end up costing the team more money in the end.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
Good idea, AD, and, if so, a great financial move by big pocket teams. Clever.
However, if the Reds nab Chapman, I'm guessing he's the fifth starter by the All Star break. And an absoutely sweet and fun acquisition. Chapman would be a huge gamble, but could pay major dividends especially as a BOR starter (which is my opinion of why the Marlins, A's, and Reds are in it-- they're offering major league contracts).
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
A week or so ago, I actually dreamed that the Reds signed Chapman. I put it down to my being off my meds.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
MLBTradeRumors.com -
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Aroldis Chapman Decision Coming Soon?
By Mark Polishuk [January 6 at 6:56pm CST]
6:56pm: Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald tweets that internally, the Marlins have "conceded defeat" in the Chapman sweepstakes.
WEDNESDAY, 3:55pm: At least three teams are out on Chapman: the Astros, Yankees, and Mets (ESPN's Buster Olney via Twitter, and MLB.com's Brian McTaggart).
TUESDAY, 8:48pm: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes may be nearing a close.* According to Rodriguez, Chapman is saying that he "expects to sign within the next three or four days."* As many as 15 clubs have shown some degree of interest in the Cuban left-hander, including several small-market franchises.*
One such team, the Marlins, are particularly taken with Chapman since they hope that South Florida's large Cuban population will tempt the 21-year-old into signing at something of a hometown discount.* Rodriguez reports that the Marlins have already made a $13MM contract offer to Chapman and have now raised that offer --- a wise move given that the Red Sox have already offered Chapman $15.5MM.
The Marlins' maneuvering may be all for naught, however.* An unnamed source tells Rodriguez that the Angels and Blue Jays seem to be the favorites to sign the Cuban left-hander, and that Chapman will sign with one of the two clubs for "around $21MM."
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
redlegsuperstar
mlbtraderumors.com -
international draft now!!!!!!!
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
corkedbat
international draft now!!!!!!!
Agreed.
Is there anything stopping an American kid from travelling overseas to avoid the draft, have teams bid his price up and let him basically choose which team he wants to play for?
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
Eric_the_Red
Agreed.
Is there anything stopping an American kid from travelling overseas to avoid the draft, have teams bid his price up and let him basically choose which team he wants to play for?
And play where? The only other league that lends any bit of credibility to it would be the Japanese league. And once you sign with a Japanese league you are under contract and if you want to transfer to the MLB your contract has to be bought out. No American kid is going to toil away in the Mexican league or the Dominican summer league, the money just isn't there.
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Re: Reds sent a scout to watch Aroldis Chapman throw
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Originally Posted by
bucksfan2
And play where? The only other league that lends any bit of credibility to it would be the Japanese league. And once you sign with a Japanese league you are under contract and if you want to transfer to the MLB your contract has to be bought out. No American kid is going to toil away in the Mexican league or the Dominican summer league, the money just isn't there.
Didn't JD Drew essentially sit out a year toiling in the Independent League and then get paid? I'm thinking that is a Strasburg-type prospect went & played in Mexico for a year, his value would remain high.