mlbtr, cubs, aroldis chapman

on the mlbtr front page, they are saying that they've heard that the Cubs are involved with Chapman. the Cubs weren't one of the initial teams rumored to be in the mix. This isn't something they've linked - it's something Tim is claiming that he's heard (or someone associated with Tim). I've got no clue on how much veracity to put with mlbtr's non-linked sources, but it caught my eye. in the far past, they were a bit iffy on their own stuff (like pft for football), but mlbtr has gotten a bit more development/stature in recent years, so I'm not sure.

That said ... if we landed Chapman, I'd be ecstatic. Consdering the rumored salary demands, though, I'm not expecting it.

over 2 years ago toonsterwu 15 comments 0 recs |

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Getting Chapman would be great.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 22, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions

Do we really know if Chapman is going to be that great?

I think it’s buyer beware here.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 22, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

sure

but you would be adding a guy that, by most accounts, would be a top 25 prospect, so that would be an awesome addition.

That said, consdering the costs, I’m not expecting it.

by toonsterwu on Oct 22, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I tend to agree with you

Especially with unproven pitchers that haven’t really had much major league competition. That being said, he is left handed and throws extremely hard, which can take you a long way. I went to high school with Derek Holland, the young Rangers lefty and he wasnt anything special coming out, without even scholarship offers. Once his velocity sky rocketed to 95-98, he became a pretty special prospect, to the point where he is rumored to be the stopping point of the Roy Hallady trade. He had a up and down year but, point is, hard throwing leftys can really go a long way.

However, I am not expecting this either. I wish Ricketts would just go after it like red sox/yankees regardless of cost but from initial reports he won’t be that kind of owner.

by KButler on Oct 22, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I just think it would be good

To hopefully give this minor league system a boost. I partly agree with you, but with his heater, I think it’s a risk worth taking.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 22, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Depends on the cost.

Unless he’s major-league ready in less than two years, I’d rather see the money spent on improving the major league team.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 22, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

hey

what was Holland’s velo in HS? I remember reading reports suggesting that he basically topped out low 90’s, but then he grew into his body the last couple of years and really took off.

by toonsterwu on Oct 22, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Honestly less than that

He says it topped out at about 86 but I remember it being in the lower 80’s. I remember when he was in A ball he was up to 94 back in Newark someone asked him why he said he had no idea. I guess just getting older, mechanics, whatever.

by KButler on Oct 22, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

For that matter

we have no certainty that Aramis Ramirez will be that great in 2010, but it’s a good bet.

It’s a good bet that Chapman will pitch well.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 22, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Why?

Only as much of a good bet as any other lauded prospect. I agree his velocity alone will generate some success, but he has never really played against major league players. Aramis has and has shown he can do it successfully. As Al said, rather have guys that can prove they can help than pay someone massive money to possibly be in the minors.

by KButler on Oct 22, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Top 25 prospects are good bets.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 22, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

You're basically getting...

a guy that would be the overall #1 pick next year if he were draft eligible. As with everything else, it depends on his price, but if he doesn’t command more than $30M, I’d do it.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Oct 23, 2009 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions

All you have to do

is watch this guy pitch once to see that his stuff is exceptional. If “stuff” were the only consideration, he would, right now today, be one of the top pitchers in MLB. This dude is a lefty Doc Gooden.

Now, that being said, there’s a lot more to pitching than just stuff. For instance, he uses a lot of pitches to get hitters out and doesn’t go long into games. Secondly, his control has to improve. Those two may go hand in hand.

His age is a concern because we can’t quite be sure what it is. Is it the 22 they report? If so, he still has some upside to improve even more. If he’s 24, as many seem to suggest, his development may be all of what it is.

That being said, I’d love to have this guy pitch for the Cubs. Of course, it does depend on what his demands are. I wouldn’t blink at giving him what Strasburg got.

by jerry morales rules on Oct 23, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Chapman looks like a future stud

I would love to sign him here, but there isn’t a chance in hell. The Yankees and Red Sox will have a nice bidding war and they will get his services.

Still if he signed here I think he immediately becomes our fifth starter.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 22, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

Rickets

I’d like to think that the sudden interest is due to the new ownership wanting to make a splash. I think it would be great if we landed Chapman. Risky, but a lot of upside there.

by Bradsbeard on Oct 23, 2009 2:39 PM CDT reply actions