According to David Lennon of Newsday the Mets will now meet with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman Friday, after initially saying they wouldn’t. Chapman is a young lefthander that throws in the high 90s. His contract is expected to be in the $40-$60 million dollar range but whether he will be major league ready is unknown.

Also unknown is his AGE. He claims to be 21, but in a report by Jack Curry of the New York Times Chapman may actually be 26. Curry writes that reports during the World Baseball Classic had Chapman at the age of 26.

The so called “kid” is going to get big time bucks, whether he’s worth it or not will remain to be seen. The Yanks and Red Sox  are already interested. We all know all these defectors lie about their age. Livan Hernandez was probably 50 this past season. Who really knows how old Jose Reyes is.

It’s really part of the problem with Major League Baseball. There really has to be an international draft like EVERY OTHER SPORT, with limits on a payscale for rookies, like EVERY OTHER SPORT to give everyone a fair share at drafting the best prospects. That all being said, the Wilpon’s need to continue to spend and not cheap out, especially this year with their two big rivals being so successful this season. Not sure Chapman would do anything next season though, and I don’t see the Mets spending the money to do it. I would probably rather them spend that money on Lackey anyway.