Quote:
Originally Posted by Blitz Dorsey
People seem to forget that there was no spot in the rotation for Chapman coming out of ST. So, he would have started the year at Louisville if he remained a starter. Leake was NOT on the bubble in spring training. He was the Reds' second-best starting pitcher last year and it wasn't even close. The "battle" was between Bailey and Chapman, and even though Chapman out-performed Bailey in ST, Bailey kept his spot in the rotation. And to Bailey's credit he's pitched well thus far this season.
Hey, I wanted Chapman to be a starter too. I was adamant he should be a starter. But that ship has sailed, IMO. He's going to stick as a closer.
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Huh...I always thought you went with your 5 best starters, you didn't just say, "well, last year's 5 guys are back, so there's no spot for a better pitcher." Hilarious that Reds fans will accept that it's OK to go with a lesser rotation than what they could have just because all 5 starters from last year returned. Chapman could be special in the rotation; he's a great closer (so was John Smoltz) for now, but if he stays there much longer the Reds are going to have really blown up this kid's ceiling. I'm just glad the powers that be didn't do to Randy Johnson what the Reds are doing to Chapman. It's fun to watch him pitch, and I have even called him the Sandman recently, but it's a shame to pigeon hole him into that role when he has so much more potential.
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