Twitter Poll: Should the Mets take a chance on Chapman?

With the waiting game for Jason Bay in full swing, I took to Twitter to ask about another possible free agent option.

Aroldis Chapman, the 21-year-old Cuban defector, threw for teams a few days ago.  According to reports, the Mets were in attendance.

So, as a fan, would you want to see the Mets take a chance and sign Chapman?  Here are some responses…

YES

NYSportzNut: No brainer as far as I am concerned.

MattRobbie: It would be a huge boost to our minors to help us build for the future.

chrisbirckhead: Yes 1,000 times yes. Easily the best talent left on the market.

Chuipi: Of course, only 21, lefty and a power arm.

DonCheech: YES

samtpage: YEA.

NO

blizzake: Not really, I think whatever team he goes to they are going to be way overpaying.

MrMustSeeTV: I'd rather have the Mets invest in Chapman than Piniero, Marquis or Garland. Chapman + Mejia would make a nice combo.

ON THE FENCE

nmigliore: Only at the right price... $20M max.

EliFromBrooklyn: If Chapman doesn't lick his hand, talk to himself and/or crave Mexican food at 2:00 am - sign him to a sensible contract.

CaughtLookin: As long as it doesn't curb other spending, I'd do it.

TheHappyRecap: I doubt they take a chance on him. From a PR standpoint they need sure things, even if the guys they get are assured to suck.

disgruntmetsfan: Only if they felt he was a viable option, and not a response to Halladay.

What’s your take?  Hit the comments to dish your opinion.

Links: Pineiro, Chapman, Igarashi

-According to Buster Olney, via MLBTR, free agent Joel Pineiro is likely seeking a four-year deal. Pineiro is looking at Randy Wolf’s deal from the Brewers and believe he is worth more than that.

He probably is, but how much will he suffer when he’s not under the watchful eye of Dave Duncan in St. Louis? Teams should be wary, though I like him over Jason Marquis.

-Aroldis Chapman threw a side session for teams today, but the Mets were not in attendance.

-Jon Morosi tweeted that the Mets are showing “some interest in hard-throwing reliever Ryota Igarashi.”

Here’s Igarashi’s player profile from NPB Tracker.

Rogers picks Chapman to land with the Mets

I’ve been taking a hard route against dreaming about Aroldis Chapman coming to the Mets.  For one, I think he’ll cost more than he’s worth.  And two, I don’t think he’s major-league ready.

But Phil Rogers in the Boston Herald made some early off-season predictions and feels differently.  Here’s Chapman’s blurb…

Aroldis Chapman, Mets: The Cuban flamethrower is in demand, but teams are waiting for agent Edwin Leonel Mejia to drop his asking price. The Mets love Chapman and need to make a splash. He could duel Stephen Strasburg for Rookie of the Year honors.

This was penned a few days ago, as Chapman has since fired his agent Mejia and moved to another agency.

Yes, the Mets need to make a splash, or at least Omar Minaya thinks so.  I hate the term as I’d rather see the team put a winning ballclub out there over one that will sell jerseys.

And if Rogers is talking about Rookie of the Year in 2011, he might have a point.  I don’t think either will have what it takes to break into the majors next season, and if they do, they won’t last a whole year.

But still, it’s interesting to see people linking the Mets and Chapman.

Thoughts?

Chapman to the Mets would be a miracle

Two weeks ago I wrote that Aroldis Chapman should not be in Mets fans plans for the future of the franchise.

Today, I’m writing…to re-state that opinion.

Yes, Chapman has met with Mets officials.  Yes, he was “said” to be “considering” the Mets.  But for the money he wants, do you even want the Mets to spend much on a pitcher who is said to have, “a ways to go before he's ready to pitch in the major leagues, physically and emotionally”?

Don’t get your hopes up, Mets fans.

In fact, wouldn’t you rather see the team spend the $40-60 million he’s asking for in a bunch of different places?

Should you be dreaming of Aroldis Chapman in orange and blue?

Simply: Probably not.

The 21-year-old Cuban defector looks like he’ll be making headlines until he signs, but it’s unlikely he’ll land in Flushing.

Chapman is asking for somewhere between $40 and $60 million, according to David Lennon.

If that’s the case, count the Mets out.  With something like $30 million coming off the payroll this season, the Mets have too many other things to deal with.

For all of those that have high hopes of Chapman and Mr. Met arm in arm, it might be time to set your sights a little lower.  Or a lot lower.