Cingrani to the pen?

[corkedbat]

Scenario: The Reds front office decides they have to try Aroldis in the rotation and move him next spring. Joseph has been dealt and I'm not sure Bray will be back. If Cingrani were to have a strong spring, would you move him to the pen as the 2nd lefty, then let him compete for Bronson's spot in 2014? Or would you leave him in L'Ville as a starter to work on his offspeed stuff?

I'm starting to believe this may be moot because Aroldis may be our closer for years to come.

[Scrap Irony]

After next season, Arroyo is gone.

IF (notice the capital letters) Chapman goes to the rotation or IF (again, capitals) Corcino goes completely ace-level bonkers, yeah, I could see Cingrani as a Greg Kimbrel-style closer.

[The Rage]

That won't happen in 2013, even if Chapman does move to the rotation.

[corkedbat]

After next season, Arroyo is gone.

IF (notice the capital letters) Chapman goes to the rotation or IF (again, capitals) Corcino goes completely ace-level bonkers, yeah, I could see Cingrani as a Greg Kimbrel-style closer.

Yeah, I was saying put TC in the bullpen for next year and let him compete for the 2014 rotation spot Bronson will vacate.

IF Chapman were to got to the rotation, I wouldn't mind a pen of:

Madson (if he doesn't cost too much)
Marshall
Broxton (Ditto Madson)
Cingrani
Arredondo
Simon
Lecure/Ondrusek

[19braves77]

It takes longer for a pitcher to get back into the mindset of being a starter when they pitched a year or two from the bullpen. John Smoltz said the hardest thing was remembering to not max out his arm in the first inning and to pace himself. However, if you dont have a plus slider or cutter, your going to be a reliever anyways but its easier on a players arm to start then to come out of the bullpen.

[camisadelgolf]

It takes longer for a pitcher to get back into the mindset of being a starter when they pitched a year or two from the bullpen. John Smoltz said the hardest thing was remembering to not max out his arm in the first inning and to pace himself. However, if you dont have a plus slider or cutter, your going to be a reliever anyways but its easier on a players arm to start then to come out of the bullpen.
I really doubt you would know that much about a Braves pitcher. ;)

[Scrap Irony]

Yeah, I was saying put TC in the bullpen for next year and let him compete for the 2014 rotation spot Bronson will vacate.


Sure. In fact, it'd be an easy way, IMO, to save money needed at other spots:

Madson
Marshall
Broxton
Cingrani
Hoover
LeCure
Ondrusek

Losing Bray, Masset, Arredondo, and Simon (combined $7 million or so) might mean the Reds could afford Broxton. (This assumes Madson's willing to sign for around the same coin he did last season and Broxton's willing to subsume ego for a set-up role.

In fact, there are a lot of cheaper alternatives for specific players, come 2013:
-- Henry Rodriguez for Miguel Cairo
-- DiDi Gregorius for Wilson Valdez
-- Xavier Paul for Todd Frazier
-- Todd Frazier for Scott Rolen
-- Dioner Navarro for Ryan Hanigan

That's another $8.5 million or so.

[camisadelgolf]

I wouldn't be surprised if Todd Frazier made less money than Xavier Paul next year on account of service time.

[19braves77]

I really doubt you would know that much about a Braves pitcher. ;)

Its in his new book which its a bad read at all.
:thumbup:

[DGullett35]

I dont know if the Reds would be willing to spend a ton of money to keep Broxton and Madson in next years pen. Madson will be a little cheaper coming off surgery but how much cheaper? Also Broxton has been pretty good this year and with a solid stretch run on a good ballclub could be a little too expensive for the Reds at least for next year. I can see them keeping one(they almost have too if they want Chappy starting) but not both. Also where does JJ Hoover fit in to their plans? Maybe they have ideas on him being in the back end come next year. id keep TC in the starting rotation until he proves he cannot do it anymore. You can never have enough starting depth.

[dougdirt]

I can't imagine the Reds having a plan of Hoover at the back end next year if they won't even bring him up this year.

[DGullett35]

I can't imagine the Reds having a plan of Hoover at the back end next year if they won't even bring him up this year.

I see your point but IMO he shouldnt even have been sent back down period. Bray was horrid and JJ didnt really do anything to warrant a demotion.

[dougdirt]

I see your point but IMO he shouldnt even have been sent back down period. Bray was horrid and JJ didnt really do anything to warrant a demotion.

I agree completely, but I just don't think the Reds do, for whatever reason.

[Vottomatic]

Well, I've come to terms with Chapman being the closer and not a starter. Watching him turn 9 inning games into 8 frames for the other team is a thing of beauty.

I'm also for picking up Madson's option and re-signing Broxton.

And finally, I'm hoping Corcino or Cingrani make it to the starting pitching lineup in 2014 when Arroyo is gone, and Chapman remains the closer.

[Wonderful Monds]

I agree completely, but I just don't think the Reds do, for whatever reason.

Probably the 4 per 9 he walks or the 4.27 xFIP he showed.


I don't think he's bad at all per se, but he probably would be by far our worst reliever by almost a full run, and the guy really is a fly ball machine. Not good for his walk rate or home field.

[dougdirt]

Probably the 4 per 9 he walks or the 4.27 xFIP he showed.


I don't think he's bad at all per se, but he probably would be by far our worst reliever by almost a full run, and the guy really is a fly ball machine. Not good for his walk rate or home field.

He misses bats at a high rate. He would be fine. Just like he was when he was up here earlier.

[REDREAD]

I can't imagine the Reds having a plan of Hoover at the back end next year if they won't even bring him up this year.

I think he's in their plans, it's just a crowded bullpen.

Masset and Arrodondo are signed through next year.
Arrodondo is worth keeping.. Masset.. well, honestly he may not be effective next year either. I'm not trying to be overly pessemistic, but the Reds have to assume they will get nothing out of him next year.

I think Bray is only signed for this year.. I could see the Reds cutting bait on him.

I can't see the Reds bringing back Madson unless it is very cheap.
I would rather them spend the money to keep Broxton if they are going to spend money.

Logan? If he continues to pitch poorly, I could see him getting traded this offseason.

Anyhow.. the Reds must like Hoover .. they did trade for him and kept him on the ML roster until the numbers crunch happened. He is in their plans, they just felt Broxton was a better pitcher right now. I think after this season, Hoover has two more options remaining..so that works against him.. however, I feel he's more than an emergency backup type guy.

[REDREAD]

I see your point but IMO he shouldnt even have been sent back down period. Bray was horrid and JJ didnt really do anything to warrant a demotion.

Puzzling decision in hindsight.. as Bray certianly didn't look 100% healthy when he was activated off the DL.. Either a panic move or perhaps the medical staff was overly aggressive/optimistic again? I worry the same thing about Masset.. at this point, I'd rather the Reds just decide that Masset isn't going to help this year.. Let him just rest until next spring and hope the shoulder responds. Pitching in A ball and hoping he is able to get healthy before playoff rosters are decided doesn't seem to make sense, especially since we don't really need him.