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Aroldis Chapman

Yankees Notes: Damon, Matsui, Chapman

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In his recap of the third day of the GM meetings, Lohud.com's Chad Jennings has a few quotes from New York GM Brian Cashman that hint at the Yankees' upcoming moves. Here are the highlights:

  • When asked about retaining both Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon, Cashman says: “If I did that I wouldn’t have room for anybody else unless I made trades." Cashman seems to be referring to position players here, so how much flexibility they have to add pitching could be another story.
  • It's a possibility that the Yankees could re-sign both Damon and Matsui, since they still trust Damon's ability to play left field.  Matsui, on the other hand, would again be relegated to DH duty, although Cashman notes that another team could view him as an outfielder. Based on comments we heard earlier today, that seems unlikely.
  • Expanding on whether or not the Yankees would be active in the trade market, Cashman was a little vague: "What necessarily fits and what doesn’t and asking prices, we’ll have to determine and work out. That’s all for another day."
  • Jennings talked to one source who picks the Yankees and Red Sox as the most likely destinations for Aroldis Chapman. The source also said that Chapman's raw talent is just as good as advertised, despite his erratic control.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Felix, Jays, Valentine

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Some links for Tuesday morning…

Dodgers Not Pursuing Aroldis Chapman

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Bill Shaikin of The LA Times reports (via Dylan Hernandez) that the Dodgers are not pursuing Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman, even though starting pitching remains a top priority.

Here's our Chapman review from a little over a week ago last week.  Since then we've learned more about the Angels, White Sox, Orioles, Cubs, Braves, and Marlins.

Kurkjian’s Latest: Yankees, Dodgers, Chapman

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Tim Kurkjian runs through some of the top storylines to watch this offseason for his latest article on ESPN.com.  Here's a breakdown of some of the topics discussed…

  • Kurkjian believes the Yankees will let Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui walk this winter and will "consider" free agents Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.
  • Kurkjian also thinks Holliday is "perfect for Fenway Park," and someone who will be pursued if the Red Sox aren't able to reach an agreement with Bay.
  • The McCourts' divorce could have a serious impact on the way Los Angeles does business this offseason.  As Kurkjian writes, "The Dodgers need to acquire at least one topflight starting pitcher, but there is already speculation that they will not have enough money to re-sign left-hander Randy Wolf."
  • The Cubs won't be able to trade Milton Bradley without picking up most of the two years, $20MM left on his contact.
  • The Yanks are likely to re-sign Andy Pettitte for at least one year.
  • Kurkjian spoke to one MLB general manager who thinks Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman has "a ways to go before he's ready to pitch in the major leagues, phyiscally and emotionally."
  • The Angels are expected to be aggressive in trying to re-sign Chone Figgins, but he'll have plenty of other suitors.  Kurkjian lists the White Sox and Orioles as possibilities.  We've heard the Cubs might also have interest.

Marlins Interested In Aroldis Chapman

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MLBTR has learned of a surprising suitor for free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman: the Marlins.  They intend to submit an offer and hope to meet Chapman this month.  Offers began rolling in for Chapman last week.

Here's our Chapman review from last week.  Since then we've learned more about the Angels, White Sox, Orioles, Cubs, and Braves.

Braves Interested In Chapman?

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10:07pm: In an e-mail to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Braves GM Frank Wren denied having any plans to meet with Chapman.

7:37pm: The Atlanta Braves have joined the list of suitors after Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, writes Melissa Segura of SI.com.  While an exact date, time and location has not been decided on yet, the two parties are "expected to schedule formal conversations in the coming weeks."

Segura identifies the Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Athletics and Cardinals as other clubs also believed to be interested in the 21-year-old.  Our review of the Chapman sweepstakes cites information that indicates Detroit, Seattle and San Francisco also have some level of interest in signing the lefty.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Bradley, Rays, Twins

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Links for Monday…

Rogers On Chapman, Vazquez, Valentine, Gonzalez

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Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune looks at a few hot stove topics from around the league in his latest article. Here are some of his thoughts:

  • He speculates that the Seattle Mariners' interest in Aroldis Chapman stems from their desire to still have a front-line starter if they eventually decide to move Felix Hernandez.
  • Rogers is skeptical that the two Chicago teams have the resources to compete seriously in the Chapman sweepstakes. Be sure to check out MLBTR's complete Chapman review.
  • With Tim Hudson on the verge of re-signing with the Braves, Ken Rosenthal indicated that Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe could be shopped for a bat. Rogers suggests it'll be Vazquez that's put on the trading block.
  • Bobby Valentine could be out of the mix for a major-league managerial spot this season, as the Washington Nationals look likely to give Jim Riggleman their full-time gig.
  • Rogers thinks it's "wishful thinking" to expect new Padres GM Jed Hoyer to deal Adrian Gonzalez to Hoyer's former employer, the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles And Aroldis Chapman

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Free agent left-hander Aroldis Chapman is quickly racking up face time with MLB clubs, meeting with several different teams in the past few days and drumming up interest all over the league.  On Friday, he chatted with Orioles international scouting director John Stockstill in New York about the possibility of beginning his professional career in Baltimore.

Are the Orioles to be taken seriously as possible suitors for Chapman?  It depends on who you ask.  Stockstill said Friday, after his meeting in NYC with the highly touted 21-year-old, that there is some mutual interest.  "He's willing and interested to come and visit Baltimore," Stockstill said, while also telling MASN's Roch Kubatko, "I think we have an offer in mind."

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the club is truly prepared to buck up, especially if the price is in the $40-$60MM range.  As Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun points out, the O's passed on Dominican shortstop Miguel Angel Sano earlier this month, and he signed with the Twins for only $3.15MM.  "If they would balk at Sano at that price," Schmuck writes, "what makes anybody think they'll be a real player at $40 million for Chapman?"

"I'm sure a lot of people would like to see the Orioles boldly go where they haven't gone before and pony up the big money it will take to sign Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman," Schmuck continues, "but I wouldn't hold your breath."

Angels Yet To Call On Aroldis Chapman

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The Angels have been linked to free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman via scouting director Eddie Bane.  Given Chapman's friendship with Kendry Morales and interest in Southern California, the Halos could be a decent fit.  However, our source says the team has yet to call to express interest.

Chapman is also friendly with Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox.  We reported Chicago's interest on October 22nd, but we've since learned that their involvement has been limited.

Chapman visited with the Red Sox on Wednesday.  A meeting with the Orioles will take place today.  He's yet to throw for teams, so the process still appears to be in the early stages.  You can check out our review of all his suitors here.  One other new piece of information – Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported yesterday that the Indians have no interest.

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