Quote:
Originally Posted by Benihana
Um, because if you hoard 8 major league starting pitchers "just for safety's sake" when you have other glaring holes you need to fill in the starting lineup, you're not going to be a very good team.
While I agree that he won't throw 200 innings, moving Chapman to the rotation allows the Reds to be flexible with Leake and one of Corcino/Cingrani, meaning they could be dealt for the right parts.
The Reds would still have a 1-5 of Cueto, Latos, Bailey, Arroyo & Chapman with Redmond and one of Corcino/Cingrani filling in for Chapman's remaining innings and/or one of the SP getting injured. Yes, it's not 8 deep, but no team is- nor can they afford to be when there are other weaknesses to address.
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2 of the 3 might not even be ready for the Majors yet. The jury's still out on Corcino & Cingrani. Leake is vastly underappreciated IMO. So it's not really 8 deep regardless. But I certainly don't deal away promising young pitchers when we've got an unknown in Chapman and next season we lose Bronson. Trade Leake away and one of the C's...come 2014 we could be hurting to fill out that rotation. Especially if Chapman performs as a starter like he did the first time around.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of moving Aroldis to the rotation. But I personally don't think Cingrani or Corcino are quite ready for the show yet and I want to hold onto Leake to fill Bronson's void in 2014. I'd certainly be willing to deal one of the C's in the right deal, but I don't feel that we're in a position where we "need" to deal them. We've got other pieces we can deal to bring in what we need.
2013
Cueto, Latos, Bailey, Arroyo, Chapman/Leake (Corcino/Cingrani in AAA)
2014
Cueto, Latos, Bailey, Chapman, Leake (Corcino/Cingrani in AAA if still starting)
2015
Cueto possibly gone, Latos, Bailey, Chapman, Leake, one of Corcino/Cingrani
Leake fills a major void once Bronson leaves. And I want some options come 2015. Stephenson should be knocking on the door, but one of the C's with some solid AAA experience under their belt might just be the ticket.
(and I'm guessing that both Latos & Bailey are going to get extensions this offseason. If not, Latos is a FA come 2016 and Homer in 2015.)