Aroldis Chapman agrees to $30M deal with the Reds

[redsrbetter]

$30MM 5 years. That's amazing! I am so overjoyed right now I don't know what to do. I secretly hoped for this, but knew better than to get my hopes up. Now, I am just exhausted from immediate happiness.

For me, this is the biggest Reds move since Griffey. Hopefully it pans out nicely where I don't eat my words.

[Doppelgänger]

It better be 30 mil over 10 years then Get him with Soto immediatley.

[redsrbetter]

Mark Sheldon via twitter:

Details not finalized yet on Chapman. Reds sources indicate 5 years at $25 million w/ sixth yr option. Deal could be announced tonight.

http://twitter.com/m_sheldon

[redsrbetter]

It better be 30 mil over 10 years then Get him with Soto immediatley.

I doubt it's 10 years man. But I guess we will find out as soon as the Reds make their announcement. I am so excited!

And excellent point on Soto. He would be so perfect for him. He worked well with Volquez and Cueto, why not Chapman? Imagine him having a dominant changeup like Soto had! Or even the changeup Volquez and Cueto developed.

From watching video, he does look to have a 79 MPH changeup that has sink already. So, he may not be opposed to some retooling if need be. Especially from someone who speaks his language.

You also have to wonder if Yonder Alonso has talked to him.

[redsrbetter]

Update from Fay:

#Reds, Chapman deal is done, pending physical. 6 years guaranteed with the payout stretched over a longer period. Announcement tomorrow.

http://twitter.com/johnfayman

So, it's 6 years now!

[missionhockey21]

I am in a complete and absolute state of ****ing shock.

That is all for now.

[redsrbetter]

Hahahaha! I hope you live through the shock my man. This is amazing!

[redsrbetter]

Chapman details
Posted by jfay January 10th, 2010, 5:48 pm

The deal with left-hander Aroldis Chapman is for $25 million over five years with a player option for a sixth. His salary for 2010 will be in $1 million range.

It’s a major league deal and it’s spread out over 10 years. The first year it will be a major burden on the big league budget is 2014.

Aroldis has thrown as hard as 102 mph. He hit 98 at workout in Houston.

I have no idea of how good Aroldis might be. The signing is a risk. But you’ve got to applaud the Reds for taking it. If the scouts are right and Aroldis is No. 1 starter, you’re looking at rotation of Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Chapman and Mike Leake in the not so distant future.

The Reds think that there’s a chance Chapman will make it to the big leagues this year.

I’ve got jury duty tomorrow. Think they’ll let me out of it to cover the press conference.

[Saber]

He's a wild young lefty. It will take a few years until he's ready. Give it time, and hope Dusty is gone if the kid gets to the Show.

[missionhockey21]

He's a wild young lefty. It will take a few years until he's ready. Give it time, and hope Dusty is gone if the kid gets to the Show.

Pretty much. Patience is going to pay in a situation like this and hopefully the Reds are willing to treat him like a long term investment and not a signing that needs to impress the peanut gallery ASAP.

On paper though, the Reds might have the biggest potential rotation in recent memory, assuming Volquez returns strong (until then, I am not going to put my foot in my mouth any further.)

[redsrbetter]

You heard it here first:

"A-Rol is on a roll."
"Chappy"
"Chapmania"
"Champman"

[Providence A's]

Well, congrats to Reds fans. Lord knows they need some good news, right?

[missionhockey21]

This is definitely the first really big piece of exciting news the Reds have had in a while. But I think many, like myself, are in a state of shock that the Reds actually emerged as the winners.

[redsrbetter]

I'm dumbfounded. I would more expect to hear a spontaneous combustion creep out of my grandmother's crack than to expect the Reds to even be a player in such a highly valued commodity.

I am like a kid who believes in Santa Claus all over again. Only now, I believe in my team again.

Yet I still worry that there could be some cost to this. If one of our SPs have to go; I hope we get something of value in return.

This signing shouldn't help us this coming season at all. We didn't get better for 2010. Without Volquez, we are already pretty short on the SP depth. Now if we trade one of Bronson or Aaron, we may be out of it for sure. Especially with what the Cards just did.

So, a lot of Reds fans are wanting to trade one of them for a SS. Bad move, IMO. Someone is going to have to replace the one we traded. The list of possibles are probably not ready yet.

[redsrbetter]

Also, Chapman really didn't cost the Reds much at all. I am reading that he will only make $1 million this year. So, there still could be money to keep the rotation in tact.