Lefty says there's no drama in defection

NEW YORK --- Aroldis Chapman simply left his room at the Domina Hotel in Rotterdam last July and went down to the lobby.

The Cuban pitcher's defection during a tournament in the Netherlands lacked any of the drama a movie script writer would want.

"It was pretty straightforward," he recalled. "I just walked out of the hotel, got in the car and left."

Separated from his parents, sisters, girlfriend and an infant daughter he's never seen, the 21-year-old left-hander with a 100-mph fastball embarked on a career in the major leagues.

He is being courted by the Yankees and the Mets, the Boston Red Sox and likely other clubs. Team executives say figures of $15 million to $50 million have been mentioned, but no one really is sure how to price a pitcher who has never been on a U.S. professional team.

"He's a once-every-40-years player," says Chapman's agent, Edwin Mejia.

Chapman was all blinged out during a 45-minute interview Thursday, wearing a large, shiny watch and gleaming earrings.

He gained attention during the World Baseball Classic in March, when he pitched well against Australia and badly against Japan.

Cuban pitchers have been successful in the major leagues, although none has risen to the elite group in recent years. Half-brothers Livan Hernandez (156-151) and Orlando Hernandez (90-65), and Jose Contreras (71-63) have achieved the most fame in the past decade.

Asked which pitcher he most resembles, Chapman didn't pick one of his countrymen, but instead said 6-foot-10 left-hander Randy Johnson.

While his stats were mediocre, his fastball impressed. He says he also throws a curveball, slider, changeup and splitter.

"My best pitch is my fastball," he said confidently. "It's probably the most difficult pitch to hit. In my case, batters have very little reaction time."