CINCINNATI -- The term, "Cincinnnati outbid both the Red Sox and Houston" is as rare around here as a Bengals' playoff win.
This is something usually reserved for the big market "haves" of sports, not the Reds. But that is what has transpired with Cincinnati's signing of Cuban pitching prospect, Aroldis Chapman.
The mainstay of Cuba's 2009 World Baseball Classic team, the 6-foot-4 inch, 185 pound left-handed pitcher defected before the start of another international tournament in the Netherlands last July.
He was eventually granted residency in the European principality of Andorra, thus becoming a free agent, eligible to sign with any Major League Team that met his price.
That price apparently $30.25 million over 6 years, which includes a $16.25 million signing bonus, to be paid out over time.
The fact that it was the Cincinnati Reds who met it, is what is noteworthy. His upside is considerable: He will turn 22 next month and his pitches have been clocked in excess of 100 mph.
In announcing the signing, Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty said this afternoon, "We see him as potentially a top of the rotation starter at some point."
For now it is safe to look at him as a major break with the Reds past and Bob Castellini's determination to field a winner in the very near future.
