Braves will make a play for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman
by gondeee on Nov 2, 2009 7:10 PM EST
in Free Agents
46 comments
He's been one of the most talked about players to defect from Cuba in several years, and now the Atlanta Braves have joined the group of teams pursuing Aroldis Chapman, according to SI.com:
The Atlanta Braves are the latest team seeking to meet with Chapman's agent, two sources told SI.com.
Though an exact date, time and location for a meeting have not been established, the two sides are expected to schedule formal conversations in the coming weeks.
He's a 21-year old southpaw flamethrower who profiles as a top of the rotation starter, why wouldn't the Braves want to make a play for him. I was wondering if Atlanta was going to throw their hat in the ring. They have good roots with the ex-pat Cuban baseball community, as both Yunel Escobar and Barbaro Canizares are both Cuban-born, as well as bench coach Chino Cadahia and several other minor league players in the organization.
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I like our chances with our above-mentioned Cuban roots. How much money would this take to do?
by Zeus12888 on Nov 2, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Y'all forgot Donnell Linares...
so he can have a countryman helping him along several steps of the way.
And do we even keep Barbaro Canizares? I would think he’d be a possible minor league free agent by now.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He didn’t debut until 2005, so he doesn’t have enough time yet. And he’s on the 40 man, so even if he did, he wouldn’t be eligible.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 3, 2009 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like he's been around forever...
I guess just cause he’s soon to be 30. And for someone that seems no part of the future plans I wonder if we don’t look to trade him. He doesn’t seem part of the 25 man roster plans, and if it weren’t for his ability to DH, Freeman would kill his at bats in AAA. I wonder if we can get anything for him from an AL club where he could be a DH possiblity.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t really think he has any kind of trade value. I’d think any team could find any number of Minor League free agents to sign this winter, without having to give up anything in a trade, that could do exactly what Barbaro does.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 3, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
On his own,...
I’d agree. But as a throw in piece packaged with Lowe or Kawakami or Vasquez or Johnson or whoever, I think he could have some value there. I’m just curious if we have any plans for him besides being a space filler.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess. I just don’t think if I’m some other team that the Braves adding Barbaro Canizares to the deal would sweeten anything for me. I’d probably wonder why the hell he was even brought up and point to three guys within my own organization who could do what he does, and are probably younger.
Maybe with Norton gone he’ll get a chance to come off the bench.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 3, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I'm just overestimating his abilities...
but I have a hard time thinking every organization could “point to three guys” like him. I’m thinking at least .250, with 15-20 HR, and then see some teams are starting Chad Tracy and Tony Clark, Aubrey Huff and Ty Wiggington, Casey Kotchman, Andy Marte, Mike Jacobs, Jason Giambi and Daric Barton, Fernando Tatis, Travis Ishikawa, Kevin Millar.
Again, not saying he’s good, but is he any worse than what starts at 1B/DH for teams like Oakland, Cleveland, Baltimore, among others? Look at some of the numbers those guys put up starting a decent amount of games, and Canizares can’t do better?
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To simplify that,...
I’m not saying he’s an ideal piece, or sought after. But if we’re working on something with say Oakland, Cleveland, or Kansas City, I could see them being willing to some guy we think can help us in middle relief for what could help them as another capable bat to battle for 1B/DH.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I get what you’re saying, he does have some value, and yes, 3 guys is probably too many, and sure, there are plenty of first basemen that aren’t that good. But, you have to remember, he’s going to be 30 years old going into next year and he’s only played 5 games in the Majors. So he’s a completely unproven commodity. And while I actually think your projection on his average is low (he’s a career .303 hitter at AAA, I don’t see him dropping 50 points in the Majors), I doubt he all of the sudden develops 20 HR power either. In the last two years, in roughly the same number of at bats, he’s hit 13 and 12 respectively. Granted, he’ll throw in 30 doubles, but all told, he’s also first baseman who can’t play first well enough to do it everyday.
So yeah, he’s got some value, but he’s really not a guy that I think anyone would give much consideration, even as an afterthought, if only because of his inexperience. If you’re looking for a sweetener to a deal, you go for an A ball pitcher.
When the list of minor league free agents comes out I’ll try to remember this; I bet I can find a decent list of guys who would compare pretty well to Barbaro, and probably with more of a Major League track record.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 3, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hear he's overrated
That he has control problems and no above average secondary pitches. Anyone know if there is truth to that?
hohohhohohoh its the offseason, time to rosterbate in public places
by esadb on Nov 2, 2009 7:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I nearly forgot
hohohhohohoh its the offseason, time to rosterbate in public places
by esadb on Nov 2, 2009 7:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
As a Dutch Baseball fan I follow the Dutch National Team closely. The international play is the highest level of play our players reach. That is excluding some of the guys that actually make it to the Majors.
Charoldis Chapman is a lefthanded starting pitcher as you guys know. He hits the high 90’s and can get up to 100. He has control problems, that is not only with his pitches but more with his mental make up. I know he sometimes displays his disagree with the calls of the umpires. After that he gets wild. His secondary pitch is not great. But maybe he can develop he is still young.
Would be a good idea for the Braves to contact internationals scouts, for the national teams of Japan, the Netherlands etc, or the pitching coach of the Netherlands for many years Brian Farley. But well they are a professional organisation, they will have their contacts already interviewed.
by Dutch Braves Fan on Nov 2, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What?!? Why should we throw money at him when we’re set rotation wise plus have other money worthy holes to fill
(Yunel is still the Queen of Hearts)
by GoBravesNY on Nov 2, 2009 7:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We’re set now, but how about two or three years down the road. It NEVER hurts to have rotation depth (see Braves, starting rotation, 2008).
by gondeee on Nov 2, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
okay, why not. by the way, I heard SBN is getting a facelift tomorrow at some point. Any truth to that?
(Yunel is still the Queen of Hearts)
by GoBravesNY on Nov 2, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, tomorrow morning. It’s nothing major, just a few tweaks to enhance the user experience — literally “rounding off some of the edges.”
by gondeee on Nov 2, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Change is scary.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 3, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love how
Everyone who doesn’t have a customized avatar is by default, a Macy’s gift card.
Otherwise, I’m okay with it. It’s clean, and so far it loads a little faster than previously. Granted, I’m sure this will change the next time SBN decides to do interactive mud-splattering popups, but for at least today, it’s fresh.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
by royhobbs on Nov 3, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It open up plenty of possibilities
Like trading jurrjens for a premium hitter. But it’s only one source saying that the braves want to meet with him. I still think the Sox get him.
hohohhohohoh its the offseason, time to rosterbate in public places
by esadb on Nov 2, 2009 7:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to see this, if only because getting him would be the equivalent to getting a number 1 pick in the draft and it might cause a few crybabies to shut up and lay off Mike Minor. I really hope the Braves bring Yunel and Chino with them to the meeting.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 2, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Any video on this guy?
Or stats or anything?
by Trek on Nov 2, 2009 7:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SifGIDf_xCo
no luck on stats
hohohhohohoh its the offseason, time to rosterbate in public places
by esadb on Nov 2, 2009 7:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
This guy has the potential to have dominant stuff, it’s not developed other than his fastball but the tools are there. I’d much rather devote 7-8M per year for Chapman and have him start out of the bullpen than pay another reliever that much unless it’s someone like Mariano (not happening obviously). With his velocity, he could be dominant in a SU role as early as sometime next season and could work on his secondary stuff with the aim being to make him a starter down the road. Chapman, Hanson, Jurrjens, Teheran, Delgado, Spruill, and Minor would give us an exciting group of young arms.
by McCann's the Man on Nov 2, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't do this to us. Please.
Don’t tell us we have a chance of outbidding the Yankees and the Red Sox. I cant take the drama any more. C’mon, its early November and we are already hearing rumors that will let us down.
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
by nick9314 on Nov 2, 2009 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
we have no chance of outbidding them but it’s very possible that the red sox fear a dice k situation and the yanks just decide to go all out for a premier FA (holliday, lackey, figgins, etc) and chapman feels more comfortable with fellow cubans yunel and chino. Just because the Yankees and Sox are interested doesn’t mean they’ll throw a ridiculous amount of money at him
by McCann's the Man on Nov 2, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it’s very possible that… chapman feels more comfortable with fellow cubans yunel and chino.
That’s a great point. Off the top of my head I don’t know of any Cubans with the Yankees or Red Sox. And while, to a certain extent, any player who speaks Spanish is going to make him feel more comfortable, his own countrymen will make him feel better. Heck, even if he were to start off in Gwinnett, he could be with Barbaro Canizares, and in Mississippi he could have Donnel Linares.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 2, 2009 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
obviously it’s going to come down to money but if the yankees offer say 45M and the Braves offered 40M i don’t think it would be all that difficult to see him choosing atlanta. However I have read that he’s gotten caught up in the allure of the modern world after growing up dirt poor in cuba and there’s a good chance that all he’s going to care about is money
by McCann's the Man on Nov 2, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THIS (Or at least the second half of it)
Im sorry, but some1 whos dirt poor isnt going to sacrifice 5 million dollars to spend his time with someone who he has NEVER met. Im deff not getting my hopes up on this one.
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
by nick9314 on Nov 2, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
See, that’s why you make sure he meets Yunel and Chino and even Canizares and Linares if he can. And maybe somebody can convince him that it’s cheaper to live in Atlanta and that even though he’s making less money, it’ll actually go farther.
And I’m not getting my hopes too high either, but come on, that’s the fun of the offseason, getting all wound up about crap that’s very unlikely to happen.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wren’s history tells us something is very likely to happen. We just don’t what that something(s) is … yet.
by fandave on Nov 2, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know why, but this was the first thing that popped into my head:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1153869/history_eraser_button_ren_and_stimpy/
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Nov 2, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this is awesome. Dont make em like this anymore
I thought hurricane season was over........
by bravesguy311 on Nov 3, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i realize that, it’s why i don’t honestly expect a signing of Chapman but it is certainly not impossible
by McCann's the Man on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True. Its not impossible.
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
by nick9314 on Nov 2, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Yankees can offer 45 and still spend big on ...
major league ready free agents. Would the Braves spend 40 on him, instead of a 1B, or LF, instead of a cleanup hitter, leadoff hitter, or closer?
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 3, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If we sign him would it help us sign Cespedes or Cepeda if they defect? I drool at the possibility.
by graf on Nov 2, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Isn't he supposed to get a $40+ million contract?
I think the Braves are doing their due diligence and nothing more. We just can’t outbid some other teams with an already set and young rotation
R.I.P Jazz #6
by was385 on Nov 2, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
but if we got Chapman and he developed into a stud lefty pitcher
Hanson
Chapman
Jurrjens
ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG! That could be Maddux/Smoltzy/Glavine 2.0
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Nov 2, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
except that the newer version has scary dominant stuff (if they could learn to pitch liek those other three we are talking best pitchers of all time…although theres no reason to think anyone will be able to pick up what any of those three were able to)
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Nov 2, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Posting sub-3.00 ERAs, as Jurrjens and Hanson just did in ‘09, gives me some reasons for big optimism. I am not, however, making HOF predictions at this point, if that’s what you mean.
by fandave on Nov 2, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well this has been shot down
Thank goodness.
by drumzalicious on Nov 3, 2009 12:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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