While the New York Yankees are currently playing in the World Series (go Phillies btw), we can expect another battle to heat up between the Boston Red Sox and Yankees this offseason.
The prize, top Cuban prospect Aroldis Chapman.
For those who don’t know about Chapman, he’s a 21 year old Cuban left-handed pitcher who defected last July in the Netherlands, eventually establishing residence in Andorra and was declared a free agent by MLB in September. He can bring the heat as he was clocked at 102 during the World Baseball Classic.
Chapman was in Boston on Wednesday as he met with Theo Epstein and an unidentified member of the Red Sox. He was supposed to throw in the bullpen but the weather in Boston didn’t cooperate with those plans.
“Boston was one of the teams he was interested in from the start, and that certainly hasn’t changed,’’ said Chapman’s agent, Edwin Mejia. “It was a very good visit.’’
“This is a player who I believe is a special talent, and we’re trying to find the right place for him,’’ Mejia said. “That means the team, the city, even the fans. Aroldis is interested in every aspect.’’
What better place to play then Boston if he’s looking for all of that.
Chapman has already visited the Yankees and New York Mets. And if this report is true, we can expect the Seattle Mariners to get involved in the bidding as well.
The Red Sox could have an advantage in signing Chapman as Ian Browne points out as the Red Sox signed one of his teammates in Jose Iglesias, who is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League.
This should be very interesting to watch after the season ends. It’s a remembrance of the last time the Red Sox and Yankees did battle in the Cuban free agent market when the Yanks got Jose Contreras. Now, it’s the Red Sox turn.
Young pitching prospect Chapman visits the Sox [Boston Globe]
Red Sox meet with defector Chapman [RedSox.com]
M’s getting in on bidding for Cuban defector Chapman [Yahoo! Sports]
