Havana Times

Cuba’s Chapman Close to Big Bucks

By Circles Robinson

Cuban Aroldis Chapman on the verge of a big contract.
Cuban Aroldis Chapman on the verge of a big contract.

HAVANA TIMES, Dec. 21 – Cuban left-handed fast ball pitcher Aroldis Chapman is close to signing an eight-figure contract to pitch in the US Major Leagues.

According to the Sporting News.com, Chapman has been offered around US $13 million to pitch for the Florida Marlins, based in Miami, or US $15.5 for a multi-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Chapman, 21, pitched for Holguin in the Cuban Baseball League and was a starter on the island’s team at the second World Baseball Classic last March.  His fast ball has been tagged at 102 MPH and he has shown his stuff in workouts to over a dozen MLB teams.

Cuba has lost many top players and prospects to MLB in recent years but is still an international powerhouse.

The same fate of talent drain has had an even greater affect on the national teams of countries including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Nicaragua.