Chapman Goes to the Red in Surprising Turn

In a development that stunned quite a few movers and shakers in the baseball world, the Cincinnati Reds have acquired highly valued star player Aroldis Chapman.  The Reds outbid other Major League Baseball clubs in getting the defector from Cuba, and it is an understatement to say that that this acquisition for the left-handed pitcher was hotly contested.  Reliable sources from inside the Major League Baseball sources had leaked the news that the deal between Chapman and the Reds is speculated to be at least $25 million.  The amount is to be distributed over five years.  The contract also has a player option for a sixth year included.  For the additional year, the contract’s value is said to go higher to as high as $30 million.  Payment for the player is thought to be spread out over the contract duration to cushion the financial effect on the club. In a press conference, the Reds sealed the deal by announcing it, although a few details still needed finalization, including a physical exam that Chapman still need to undergo. Acquiring Chapman The process of the Reds acquiring Chapman was quite fast and almost came out of nowhere, as the Reds only announced their interest in the turning 22 year-old player just recently, while most clubs have expressed their interest in Chapman as soon as the season was over last year. Cincinnati did see Chapman in his workout last year in Houston with other interested teams, where he impressed the audience with the speed of his fastball, which can go as fast as 100 mph. The Reds’ acquisition of Chapman came as a surprising development for some reasons.  For one, the Reds are not necessarily among the richest clubs in the league.  For them to outbid other clubs who are known to have deeper pockets than them is newsworthy indeed.  Some clubs that have expressed interest in Chapman and were apparently outdone by the Reds include definitely wealthier clubs like the Boston Red Sox, the Blue Jays, and the Angels.  The Red Sox were the first team to actually send feelers to Chapman with an initial bid of $15.5 million, done as early as December last year.  The Marlins also reportedly presented a $16 million package, while Toronto offered as high as $23 million. Coming to America Apparently, Chapman has good reasons for coming to America other than the huge salary offer.  In one of his interviews, through an interpreter, he said that the world’s best baseball players are in the US.  This is a good opportunity for him to be the best he can be, and he would very much like to play in the United States.  He’s looking forward to learning English so he can easily adjust to his new home.