So, Mike Leake wasn't in danger after all

[Danny Serafini]

The majority opinion here (mine included) was that Leake would start in Louisville instead of stay in Cincinnati and go to the pen if the spring played out the way it was expected. Looks like that wasn't the case. From John Fay:

When Dusty Baker was asked about Leake’s spring struggles, he revealed that sending Leake to the minors was never in the plans.

“He might have been overthrowing,” Baker said. “He was throwing 92, 93. He was throwing through the break. . . .I think he been trying too hard with six or seven vying for the five spots. He wasn’t going back to the minors, even though he was afraid he might. We couldn’t tell him that. . . He was going to be on the team.”

Certainly is interesting to read that now.

[Homer Bailey]

I really don't think Dusty is telling the truth here, unless he was going to be the long man. There was no way he was going to be in the rotation.

[WVRedsFan]

IMHO, and that and $3 will get you a Starbuck's coffee, I think that Dusty was telling the truth. Down deep, I think he knew that one of the chosen ones (Volquez, Cueto, Bailey) would have problems and Leake would be needed in one capacity or another. As it turns out, he was right when Arroyo came down with mono, Cueto and Bailey got hurt, and it was up to Leake to start. I think Leake will be around long after Bailey and Volquez are only fond memories. He reminds me of Greg Maddux. And that isn't bad.

[TheNext44]

I really don't think Dusty is telling the truth here, unless he was going to be the long man. There was no way he was going to be in the rotation.

I think that was exactly what he meant.

Remember that Jocketty said that the plan was to limit Leake's innings this year. Leake as the long man does just that.

[dougdirt]

I think that was exactly what he meant.

Remember that Jocketty said that the plan was to limit Leake's innings this year. Leake as the long man does just that.

Leake as the long man however means you have to limit his innings next year too. And the year after.

[757690]

Leake as the long man however means you have to limit his innings next year too. And the year after.

If he's the longman/6th Starter, he'd get plenty of innings to be a full time starter next season... kinda like he's doing right now.

Dusty specifically said he was would make the team, not the rotation. He would have said rotation if that was the case.

[reds44]

Leake as the long man honestly makes zero sense. It just doesn't. I just do not see how Dusty is telling the truth here. Although it doesn't really matter at this point. Leake is pitching, and if he pitches well I think Homer is going to be hard pressed to have a spot in the rotation when he gets healthy.

[Matt700wlw]

Why would Dusty come out and say that Leake was going to AAA??

I think he deserves some credit....he pushes the right buttons. He proved it last season.

[fearofpopvol1]

Leake as the long man honestly makes zero sense. It just doesn't. I just do not see how Dusty is telling the truth here. Although it doesn't really matter at this point. Leake is pitching, and if he pitches well I think Homer is going to be hard pressed to have a spot in the rotation when he gets healthy.

Bailey's injuries concern me, but I am even more concerned about Volquez and his performance.

[reds44]

Bailey's injuries concern me, but I am even more concerned about Volquez and his performance.

Volquez, coming off of TJ surgery, posted similar numbers to Bailey last year. I think people aren't being patient enough with Volquez. He hardly pitched at all this spring and is still less than 100 innings removed from TJ surgery. Give him time, he'll be fine.

I also think Bailey would be a nice addition to the bullpen.

[GAC]

I still think it's nice to have these options available. Here we have two of our rotation guys (Cueto, Bailey) DL'd, a #1 pitcher struggling with mono, and you got kids like Woods, Leake, and even LeCure, ready to step in.

[Degenerate39]

Maybe Dusty was trying to boost his confidence?

[The Voice of IH]

I love Leake!

[JaxRed]

I said it during the whole Wood vs Leake debate. The Reds love the "never been in the minors" story line.

[edabbs44]

Leake as the long man however means you have to limit his innings next year too. And the year after.

If you totally buy into that theory.