Aroldis Chapman wants a ton of money and he just might get it
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — You don’t need to read too far between the lines to know what free-agent closer Aroldis Chapman thinks he deserves on the open market. Chapman, the No. 3 overall free agent on Jeff Passan’s rankings, isn’t coming out and saying he wants $100M but, well, see for yourself.
He told ESPN’s Marly Rivera on Monday:
“The only thing I have expressed is that I would like a six-year contract. I know that doesn’t mean that I will get it, but that’s what I would like to sign. There are rumors out there that I requested $100 million and that’s not true at all. I believe he who deserves something, does not need to demand it.”
How’s that for a quote! So he’s not saying he demanded $100 million, but everyone should just know he’s worth $100 million? Don’t ever say throwing 105 mph fastballs isn’t great for a guy’s self-confidence. Chapman also told ESPN that he hasn’t reviewed any offers from teams yet.
Here’s the thing, though: It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Chapman will get it. Committing six years to a closer seems like a lot — but if you’re going to, might as well be to the guy who threw 49 of the top 50 fastest pitches in MLB last season.
If the velocity alone isn’t enough, consider what else happened Monday at baseball’s Winter Meetings: Mark Melancon, the third-best closer on the market, agreed to a four-year deal with the San Francisco Giants worth $62 million. That’s a record contract for a closer, but it won’t be for long. Not when Chapman and the No. 2 free-agent closer Kenley Jansen agree to terms.
The annual average value of Melancon’s contract is $15.5 million. Spread that over the six years that Chapman, 28, prefers and that’s pretty close to $100 million. It’s only $7 million short.
A $100 million deal for Chapman would double Jonathan Papelbon’s $50 million contract, which was the record for closers before Melancon’s deal with the Giants. Is Chapman worth double the record amount?
There’s another way of asking that question: How much does baseball value a 105 mph fastball?
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
