NewsO's among several talking to Chapman
Yanks, Red Sox, Tigers also said to be after Cuban lefty
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
10/31/09 3:52 PM EST
Their season may be over, but the Orioles could still find themselves competing against the likes of the division-rival Yankees and Red Sox -- this time, over a certain hard-throwing Cuban left-hander.According to Baltimore-area media outlets, the Orioles on Friday met with Aroldis Chapman, the highly touted Cuban defector whose fastball has been clocked in the triple digits.
Chapman and his agent, Edwin Mejia, met with John Stockstill, Baltimore's international scouting director, in New York, and Stockstill left open the possibility of an agreement between the two sides, despite the reportedly high asking price.
"He's willing and interested to come and visit Baltimore," Stockstill, who watched the 21-year-old sensation pitch in the World Baseball Classic in March, told The Baltimore Sun.
"I think we have an offer in mind," Stockstill said to MASNSports.com, adding that Chapman has been "discussed thoroughly" with O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and that Friday's meeting had been arranged about three weeks ago.
The O's are expected to stay in touch with the lefty, MASNSports.com added, but more won't be known until Chapman meets with other teams that may be interested.
Chapman, who stands a slim 6-foot-4, is reportedly seeking between $40 million and $60 million in a long-term deal. The Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers, among others, have expressed interest.
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
