Jays make bold offer for Cuban sensation
January 9th, 2010 | by jays1992 |
The Blue Jays have apparently stuck their noses into the bidding for the services of Aroldis Chapman, a 21-year lefty flamethrower who defected from Cuba and is apparently ready to make a commitment to join a major league team.
He rose to prominence with two excellent starts in the 2007 World Baseball Classic and appeared again in the 2009 event.
A number of teams expressed some interest in acquiring this prized prospect. Normally, that has meant that the Jays have been outbid by one of the usual suspects (usually the Yanks or Red Sox), but according to well-placed sources, Toronto is battling the Angels as the last two teams in the running.
It is known that the Jays have held at least one private workout and obviously they really liked what they saw. Their offer is alleged to be for $23 Million over five years.
If he’s as good as they think, he would bring another live young arm into the mix for the Blue Jays’ rotation.
In an unrelated move, the Jays have reacquired pitcher Zach Jackson, whom they sent to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Lyle Overbay to Toronto in 2006. They plucked him out the Indians’ organization, as he was dealt their in the C C Sabathia trade and this move will cost the Jays a player to be named later.
Jackson was formerly a first round pick, by Toronto, in the 2004 Draft and the Jays think they might be able to get some good production from him in a second tour with their organization.
They say you can never have too much pitching and these are two possible moves that don’t really cost the organization much in return.
Tags: Aroldis Chapman, blue jays, toronto blue jays, Zach Jackson
