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Roch Kubatko
Orioles meet with Chapman
John Stockstill, director of international scouting, had a face-to-face meeting today in New York with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman and the left-hander's agent.
The meeting lasted 90 minutes and was arranged about three weeks ago to demonstrate the organization's interest in Chapman, and to gauge his level of interest.
Chapman wants to visit Baltimore, but he'll likely travel to any city if a team has expressed its desire to sign him.
The Orioles will maintain contact with Chapman and wait while he meets with more teams, probably four or five, through the middle of next week.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko |
Wow, 90 minutes is a long meeting. I'd probably run out of conversation after 10 minutes.
What a waste of time! He's gonna be like every other free agent and want to play for one of the NY teams, La teams,Boston or some team that will pay him a fortune. I personally would love to see the O's get close to signing him. No way it happens because of what I said earlier. I'd love to see him sign with the O's and slowly work his way up through the minors. Am I incorrect doesnt he pitch left handed and throw close to 100mph? If so he's worth an investment.
Gotta spend that MASN money on somebody
Roch, Man you are awesome. I never saw Man vs Food show until I youtubed it and now I'm hooked. I don't get the Travel Channel. The show is mouth watering and hilarious and I want to try a burger with friend egg on it. Now I'm on to Diners, Dives and Drive-in's. This is a lot of fun.
Good to hear the the O's are working on that Chapman issue.
Any idea if the Orioles' matches with Cuba in 1999 would have any effect on his disposition towards Baltimore? I haven't been able to find anything that indicates how those matches were viewed in Cuba; ie. were they glad the Orioles came or were they more closely associated with the Cuban government (the reason Chapman defected)?
Also, here's a link to some Chapman information on baseballreference.com for those who aren't aware of him:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Aroldis_Chapman
Dont get your hopes up O's fans.
Roch,
Did he do a throwing session like he did for NY and Boston?
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Where did you see that he threw for those teams? The last report I saw, he's just meeting with them. - Roch
The Orioles would make a real statement about the seriousness of their rebuild if they committed big time dollars to this kid...
It is the type of bold move that either gets you BIG returns or they just continue to lose (which is what we have been doing for over a decade now already.)
This kid will go where the dollars are the highest...Os should be the top bidder, no matter what...
But the odds on the Orioles doing this are likely 1000:1.
The question I have is why does Stockstill even waste his time if already seems that we are not going to be the top bidders?...Doesn't he have anything better to do?
Something that's never discussed much is the attitude and approach of a player's agent. I'm sure that one of John Stockstill's goals was to get a feel for whether or not the agent is just paying lip service to the Orioles (and others) in order to drive the price up before ultimately ending up with the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc. If that's their goal, then there's no sense even dealing with them. To be honest, if I'm the agent, I'm looking to land this kid in a major market, and if not, then at least somewhere in Florida where he can make as large an impact off the field as he does on.
In the end, I agree with what most were saying a few topics back. I think there are smarter ways to spend 40-60 million dollars. Look at all the supposed big-name signings from the Carribean or the far east over the past few years. Most do not emerge as significant performers. I'm not holding my breath and would be surprised if the Orioles actually beat out the competition to get this guy.
Put the money into the 2010 draft class and keep stocking that supply line. Maybe sign some more Canadians instead.
I promised myself I wouldn't get my hopes up this offseason. Must... resist... urge to think Orioles will spend money on a guy like Chapman.
Surprisingly easy to clear room on the 40-man when your team wins less than 70 games, no? We should be in a position to make claims I would think. Any thoughts on who?
Roch-
I doubt it happens. Who wants to play here? HOWEVER, I am very happy and enthused that the club has at least attempted to aqcuire or talk to Sano, Chapman, Texiera, Burnett, etc. etc. etc.
In past years, it has seemed they are NEVER mentioned as having interest.
Had Macphail been here when Hudson was a FA a few years back before Atlanta, I really think he might have seen more interest.
Who knows. Obviously, anyone we get, the other team doesn't. So, if they are good, I, we, everyone in Bmore, wants them.
Roch- Don't you think Hendrickson's fate depends on the Chapman negotiations?
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I don't see any connection. - Roch
Write up the update now..... a deal with the O's is not going to happen. Chapman is going to the highest bidder. As low as the US dollar is, its still higher then the "confederate money" used by the O's.
Roch,
Just wondering: have you ever encountered a real javelina? Although they've attained a sort of cult-like status in parts of Arizona, they're unpleasant, fearsome-looking beasts. I encountered a family of javelinas in Sedona, AZ one night and missed a few heartbeats. Here's how one Web site describes them: "No matter how fuzzy and sweet they seem, don't run up and squeeze one. Their canine teeth are longer than those of any North American predator, and when threatened they're not afraid to use them. If a Javelina feels cornered, it will stamp, snort and clatter its jaws together and might decide to charge at the perceived threat." And they emit a foul, skunk-like stench.
Where did you see that he threw for those teams? The last report I saw, he's just meeting with them. - Roch
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/280876-aroldis-chapman-has-very-good-visit-with-red-sox
"Cuban pitching sensation Aroldis Chapman was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday at Fenway Park. ////However, due to the weather in Boston, it is unclear whether he actually threw for Red Sox officials.////"
I agree with Baron. I would rather spend it on established talent or put it into the draft. Don't want to spend 40-60 million on an unproven pitcher that needs "work".
Ghost description sounds like Jack or Brummie?!
Make a statement: GET HIM!!! He´s gonna be worth it!
Roch, Although it ultimately doesn't mean much, the fact that Chapman (funny name for a Cuban) and his agent gave Stockstill is mildly encouraging. The Yankees are likely in the driver's seat on this one, but at least the Orioles were shut down.
As long as he's coming to Baltimore (if he's coming to Baltimore), I'd like to see the Birds do something a little creative and put together a video of some of the highlights of their core players to show him. It's not quite being the guests of the Yankees at the World Series, but it's about as much as they can do and they should do it.
After all, he probably doesn't have a clue who the Orioles are and they need to show him in a way that really piques his interest.
I mean, consider, which is better, telling him that, say, Matt Wieters has a rocket arm to throw out runners at second (show Crawford getting nailed on back-to-back steal attempts) and tremendous power (a clip of the monster shot he deep into the upper deck in Toronto should impress) or showing him?
Maybe doing so would give them a leg up on some of competition and even if it fails (as it probably would), it still wouldn't hurt to have a highlight reel on hand to show other international prospects who could use a quick intro to the O's.
The O's should use
Roch- So you don't think I'm a moron, the connection I was thinking about would be if they decide to start Chapman in the bigs, and not a starter....maybe long relief. Since he's a southpaw, maybe that would impact the need for Hendrickson. Just a thought.
Roch-
Do you have a block on embedding things on the posts? I can't seem to do it here.
I wanted to post this article from the AFL where this coach says Brandon Erbe might be the best pitcher in the AFL. He has THAT good of stuff. Strassberg is there in case you forgot. Thats bold, and encouraging.
I have said in the past that on the 30 clubs in 30 nights show last season, that the one guy said Erbe, on ANY other team, would be their best pitching prospect. But, on the O's, he is like 5 or 6th if not further down.
You really have to like this kids improvement.
Arietta is closer to the Bigs, but, Erbe MIGHT be the better prospect.
I would hold onto him if they make a trade this winter. Well, unless the gain is better.
If nothing else, it's a step up from the faxed proposal the O's sent to Matsui and never followed up on.
I too, will check out Man vs. Food, but, my Food TIVO is always stocked with Iron Chef, Chopped, Diner-Drive Ins & Dives, Hell's Kitchen and The Next Iron Chef....don't know if I have room. OK...gotta go get those Baby Back Ribs I'm gonna cook low and slow so I can eat them when my Nittany Lions beat up Northwestern!
Do you think that there would be any interest with the FO to go after Lowry if he's as healthy as his agent says? Is he a guy you'd take a risk on?
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Jed? Oh, Noah. Haven't heard, but he'd have to come cheap given that he hasn't pitched in so long. - Roch
I'm shocked that Brian Bass has not been removed yet....Marty must be up the the Warehouse pulling strings..I just know it!
Ryan said:
Roch- Don't you think Hendrickson's fate depends on the Chapman negotiations?
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I don't see any connection. - Roch
Schoolman,
I suspect that Ryan was just "having a go at you" as our cousins across "The Pond" would say -- if not -- the boy ran out of serious questions to ask.
Ghost of Chico Salmon said:
Roch,
"Just wondering: have you ever encountered a real javelina? I encountered a family of javelinas in Sedona, AZ one night and missed a few heartbeats ... . 'No matter how fuzzy and sweet they seem, don't run up and squeeze one ... . If a Javelina feels cornered, it will stamp, snort and clatter its jaws together and might decide to charge at the perceived threat.' And they emit a foul, skunk-like stench."
Chico's observations and research are essential to understanding why the Arizona franchise selected "Diamondbacks" as its nickname (sobriquet) and logo. Better to squeeze a diamondback than a fuzzy -- stench drenched -- javelina.
In order to become a winner, you have to get rid of the losers first! - From the keyboard of B.O.
I don't think it matters a lick if Chapman throws a bully for us.
I've seen him pitch, so I'm sure the O's have.
RECRUIT! RECRUIT! RECRUIT!
If the O's pony up the money, then that will be the difference.
Get him some dancing girls!
On your Taste of the Future show you could invite the feature future player to comment on the tape and provide insight into the local cuisine. If they are up to it maybe the establishment could "challenge" you two?
And to Bill G. while dancing girls work at Va. Tech and "The U" I don't think they"ll cut it in the majors. But what do I know check with Ray, Ed ,and D'Angleo.