Tuesday, September 22, 2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who defected in July, has established provisional residency in Andorra.
In a statement Monday, Chapman’s agent said the pitcher “has been granted provisional passive residency” in the country pending completion of the process. He has sent his residency materials to Major League Baseball so he can be declared a free agent, the statement said.
The next step is for the commissioner’s office to review Chapman’s residency papers. If he is declared a free agent, all 30 big league teams would be notified that Chapman is available for bidding.
Chapman pitched twice for Cuba in this year’s World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old left-hander has a 100 mph fastball and is considered by scouts to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world.
Chapman defected from Cuba after arriving with his national team for a tournament in the Netherlands. He is represented by Athletes Premier International, which is headed by Edwin Leonel Mejia.
Andorra is a small European country bordered by Spain and France.
Millwood gets contract
OAKLAND, Calif. — Rangers right-hander Kevin Millwood has completed enough innings to guarantee himself a $12 million contract next season.
Millwood needed to pitch 41‚Ñ3 innings against Oakland on Monday night to reach 180 for the season and kick in the fifth and final season of his contract with Texas.