12-16-2009, 11:26 AM
<!--quoteo(post=71857:date=Dec 16 2009, 09:20 AM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Dec 16 2009, 09:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=71848:date=Dec 16 2009, 10:07 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Dec 16 2009, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would be absolutely shocked if we even made a serious offer to this guy. Won't happen. Something tells me the Mets will go after him hard after failing to add pitching early in the offeseason.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not so sure the Cubs won't make a hard push here. Ricketts has talked about putting an emphasis on bringing in young talent from the draft and international sources. He wants to try to build up baseball players from within the organization. Now, Chapman isn't a typical international free agent. But, it will be interesting to see how much Ricketts values guys such as him.
Remember, this isn't the same as Matzuzaka. There's no posting fee. He is asking for a pro contract though. I've heard 4 years $15 mill is on the table from the Red Sox.
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I understand that Ricketts wants to emphasize player development, but this would be much more along the lines of a top FA signing. I just can't envision us needing pitching that much or swooping in and outbidding another team from the East coast given our payroll constraints. And I believe all the reports about our interest in him are sort of meaningless. Almost every MLB team sent a representative to watch Chapman work out.
All that said, I'd love to have the guy.
I'm not so sure the Cubs won't make a hard push here. Ricketts has talked about putting an emphasis on bringing in young talent from the draft and international sources. He wants to try to build up baseball players from within the organization. Now, Chapman isn't a typical international free agent. But, it will be interesting to see how much Ricketts values guys such as him.
Remember, this isn't the same as Matzuzaka. There's no posting fee. He is asking for a pro contract though. I've heard 4 years $15 mill is on the table from the Red Sox.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I understand that Ricketts wants to emphasize player development, but this would be much more along the lines of a top FA signing. I just can't envision us needing pitching that much or swooping in and outbidding another team from the East coast given our payroll constraints. And I believe all the reports about our interest in him are sort of meaningless. Almost every MLB team sent a representative to watch Chapman work out.
All that said, I'd love to have the guy.