MLB - Sports Rumors

Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:43 am EDT

Four teams ready to start bidding for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman

By Mark Miller

“AroldisCuban defector Aroldis Chapman is supposedly one of the two best pitchers in the world who is not in the majors (the other being Japan's Yu Darvish). Now the 21-year-old is waiting in Andorra to find out when he becomes a free agent.

The Baltimore Orioles supposedly had the inside track on getting this player but the team isn't interested in getting involved in a bidding war, according to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. "If some of the big boys are going to go after him, like the Red Sox did with Dice-K, that's not a risk that I would be willing to take," O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.

It's looking like the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Texas Rangers are all ready to jump in on this when the bidding gets started. Rumor has it Chapman may be granted free agency before the postseason starts and he may sign a deal before the regular free agent signing period even gets started.

Bids are expected to be in the $40 million range, according to MLB Trade Rumors, but Chapman's agent is saying, "He simply wants to go with whatever team wants him the most." Oh, brother.

Source: Mid-Atlantic Sports NetworkNew WindowMLB Trade RumorsNew Window

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108 Comments

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  1. CTsportsnut
    1. Posted by CTsportsnut Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:51 am EDT

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    Here we go again, another athlete trying to get a big pay day before he's even earned it. Buyer beware!
  2. str A's hooter
    2. Posted by str A's hooter Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:03 am EDT

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    This could get ugly! I hate bidding wars. It drives up ticket prices, causes fan anguish (Meltdown Bradley for example) and teaches kids the wrong lesson.
  3. luis M
    3. Posted by luis M Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:06 am EDT

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    It is a big gamble foulking out $40 big ones for someone that isn't proved yet...Chapman has the numbers but
    needs the action of big league baseball,the yankee should abtains of bidding for him ..it is better off working
    the farm,and spent that money in bringing up new propects.
  4. luis M
    4. Posted by luis M Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:07 am EDT

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    It is a big gamble foulking out $40 big ones for someone that isn't proved yet...Chapman has the numbers but
    needs the action of big league baseball,the yankee should abtains of bidding for him ..it is better off working
    the farm,and spent that money in bringing up new propects.
  5. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    5. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:15 am EDT

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    Sorry Dodgers and Rangers. Everyone knows this is between the Yankees and Red Sox.
  6. jd 1
    6. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    So what happens to his Mom and Dad, sister, girlfriend and new born kid when he defected? Tough call.
  7. DodgerRay
    7. Posted by DodgerRay Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:19 am EDT

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    Ok Evil, So i guess your trying to say that you guys buy Championships ? Sounds bout right...........
  8. DodgerRay
    8. Posted by DodgerRay Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:19 am EDT

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    Ok Evil, So i guess your trying to say that you guys buy Championships ? Sounds bout right...........
  9. Don G
    9. Posted by Don G Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:22 am EDT

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    It's ALWAYS between the Yankees and Red Sox!
  10. Don G
    10. Posted by Don G Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:23 am EDT

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    It's ALWAYS between the Yankees and Red Sox!
  11. G-MAN
    11. Posted by G-MAN Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:32 am EDT

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    I agree with post 1....
  12. gvblack
    12. Posted by gvblack Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:34 am EDT

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    Waiting in Andorra. Now thats a random location
  13. scott
    13. Posted by scott Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:38 am EDT

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    Rangers? Must be the joke of the day.
    Artist, they are busting your nads early today.
  14. Newman
    14. Posted by Newman Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    I would think the Angels actually have an inside track here. They have a Latino owner, the money to be competitive in the bidding, they have become a perennial playoff team, and they have a player in Kendry Morales who has already defected from Cuba to play in the US.
  15. James M
    15. Posted by James M Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    Save that 40 million and go get a free agent in the off season with a winning pass makes more sense to me. YANKEE fan 4-ever win it all
  16. Carlo Bambino
    16. Posted by Carlo Bambino Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:42 am EDT

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    Don't you mean PAY him the most??!!
  17. scott
    17. Posted by scott Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:56 am EDT

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    Newman, as an Angel fan, I like your thinking. As far as his comment on going to team that wants him the most, I'll believe that BS when I see it.
  18. daverinhull
    18. Posted by daverinhull Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    with the $$ the yankees have coming off the books next year i'd say it's between the yankees and the yankees. if they want him, they'll get him.
  19. The Real Deal
    19. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    Sorry Angels, Rangers, and Red Sox. When it comes down to strictly money it's between the Yankees and uh--the Yankees.
  20. daverinhull
    20. Posted by daverinhull Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    who's his agent? anybody know?
  21. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    21. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:05 am EDT

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    Morning Scott and Hung
    Dodger Ray - Ok. Was that supposed to hurt my feelings? Its no secret the Yankees spend big. Dodgers spend money also but I would feel bitter also if it takes more than 20 years to be relevant again
  22. jd 1
    22. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:05 am EDT

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    Real, that didn't happen with Dice K?
  23. jd 1
    23. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    Marlins new ballpark is being built in little Havana. Spend some money on this kid and maybe you can put more the 10k fans in the stadium.
  24. Brian D
    24. Posted by Brian D Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:11 am EDT

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    Make these guys join the amateur draft

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