ColumbusSports.com : Your place to stay informed and talk about the sports scene and sports teams in and around Columbus.

On Monday the Cincinnati Reds announced the signing of hard throwing Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman to a 6-year 30.25 million dollar deal.  In case you haven't heard this 21-year old from Holgiun, Cuba has a missile for an arm and has topped out at 103 MPH.  One of the biggest free agent names on the market, Chapman is a big risk for a small market Reds team not used to spending this kind of money on an unproven young kid.  It shows the team is willing to take a risk and it also shows upper management is here to compete and put a playoff caliber club on the field.

Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while with the National team in Rotterdam, Netherlands in July of 2009.  He then established residency in Andorra and petitioned Major League Baseball to be granted free agent status.  Once granted free agency, it was time for the bidding wars to begin.

Typically with players of Chapman's caliber, there are only a few teams with the ability to sign such a superstar.  This time was much of the same as the early favorites were the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels.  The Reds however remained in the race and thanks to many factors eventually won the bidding war for the services of the man some are comparing to Randy Johnson.

In shocking fashion, Chapman ended up a Cincinnati Red and some of the contributing factors have to make small market teams out there feel like they have a chance.

Historically, the Cincinnati Reds have had a rich Cuban tradition including Hall of Famer Tony Perez.  The Reds were the first major league team to sign a Cuban born player.  While the naive Chapman did not even know who Tony Perez was before signing with the Reds, the fact that 10 of the players on the 40 man roster speak Spanish and certainly had an impact in corralling Chapman.

Chapman speaks absolutely no English and he will join a pitching staff with two young pitchers from the Dominican Republic who will be able to mentor the young lefty.  Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto will help Chapman fit right in and catcher Ramon Hernandez will give Chapman to ability to communicate freely on the mound.  Manager Dusty Baker is also fluent in Spanish as are numerous other players on the roster.

Until flying into Cincinnati last Sunday night, Chapman had never seen snow in his life.  It is likely it may take a while for him to adjust to his new surroundings, but the influx of Latin American players on the Reds roster will certainly help that transition.

It is still hard for me to imagine the impact this kid could have if he fulfills his potential.  The simple fact that the Reds were willing to sign this young man goes a long way toward getting fans to truly believe and fill the seats at Great American Ballpark.  

It may take a year or so for Chapman to be ready but fans need to be patient and give him time to develop.  The emergence of Homer Bailey, the continued development of Cueto and the return of Volquez give the Reds quite a rotation for the future.  When first round pick Mike Leake is ready and Chapman has a year to develop come spring training of 2011, the Cincinnati Reds could have the best young rotation in baseball.  

Picture an opening day rotation of Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman, Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake.  All five starters throw in the 90s and all five are currently under the age of 27.  Even the most basic baseball fan knows that pitching wins games, and by 2011 the Cincinnati Reds will have an abundance of it.  

Tags: andorra, angels, aroldis chapman, dusty baker, edinson volquez, great american ballpark, johnny cueto, latin american players, netherlands, ramon hernandez, randy johnson, red sox, reds, rotterdam, tony perez, yankees