Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman’s stay in Europe is soon to come to an end. A few weeks after establishing residency in Andorra to become a free agent, the left-hander arrived in New York on Wednesday, starting negotiations over a contract with a Major League organization. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox among a bunch of other teams already have expressed interest.
The 21-year-old Chapman, who throws up to 102 MPH, defected from the Cuban national team shortly before the start of the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands this July. He went to Spain and was working out there since then. He hopes to receive a similar contract to the one Jose Contreras signed in 2002. He got $32 million for four years from the Yankees after a bidding war with the Red Sox. It is expected that Chapman would need some time in the Minor Leagues before pitching in the MLB.