61 Bronson Arroyo R/R 6-5 190 02/24/77 25 man roster
31 Matt Belisle R/R 6-3 195 06/06/80 25 man roster
* 45 Bill Bray L/L 6-3 215 06/05/83 15-day Disabled List
* 51 Jared Burton R/R 6-5 225 06/02/81 15-day Disabled List
56 Todd Coffey R/R 6-5 230 09/09/80 25 man roster(options?)
37 Rheal Cormier L/L 5-10 195 04/23/67 25 man roster(age 40)
40 Jon Coutlangus L/L 6-1 185 10/21/80 25 man roster(options?)
* 66 Phil Dumatrait R/L 6-2 170 07/12/81
* 81 Eddie Guardado R/L 6-0 205 10/02/70 60-day Disabled List
39 Aaron Harang R/R 6-7 270 05/09/78 25 man roster
* 75 Bobby Livingston L/L 6-3 195 09/03/82
28 Kyle Lohse R/R 6-2 200 10/04/78 25 man roster
* 38 Gary Majewski R/R 6-1 215 02/26/80
* 58 Calvin Medlock R/R 5-9 185 11/08/82
22 Eric Milton L/L 6-3 205 08/04/75 25 man roster
* 54 Elizardo Ramirez L/R 6-0 180 01/28/83 15-day Disabled list
35 Kirk Saarloos R/R 6-0 185 05/23/79 25 man roster
* 53 Brad Salmon L/R 6-3 230 01/03/80
57 Victor Santos R/R 6-2 205 10/02/76 25 man roster
* 37 Brian Shackelford L/L 6-1 195 08/30/76
29 Mike Stanton L/L 6-1 215 06/02/67 25 man roster(age 40-)
25 David Weathers R/R 6-3 230 09/25/69 25 man roster(age 36)
This question is currently on the back burner but its one that will have to be faced when Burton’s 30 day rehab is up. I want to find a way to keep him but it’s going to be really hard unless he performs very well with the Bats. Realistically six of our pitchers(in bold print above) seem unlikely to be cut or optioned(not withstanding Coffey’s last two appearances). Bray, Majewski, Dumatrait, and maybe Homer and Salmon are likely to be recalled within a couple of months. Those moves would use between 9-11 of the 12 available pitchers slots. So, barring injuries, to keep Burton between 3-5 of Comier, Coutlangus, Milton, Saarloos, Stanton, and Santos would have to be cut, traded or optioned in order to keep Burton on the 25 all year. It’s hard to see the Reds moving more than 3 of those guys.
If the club is out of the race it would be easier but we probably won’t know that early enough to be a factor.
A young power lefty like Burton could be a big asset for the Reds in the future. Any thoughts on how the keep him?