6/13/2012 Reds vs Native Americans Part II

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

And this one belongs to the Reds! Great games by Latos and Phillips. Somebody, however, needs to sit down with Chapman and get him to mix up his pitches some. 1 slider in a week...ain't gonna do it.

Honest question: does anyone really think Chapman would be an instant success if he stepped into the rotation?

Aside from his having to work his arm into throwing for 6 innings, his entrance into the rotation will be a work in progress and I don't think we can afford to trade in our closer for a work in progress starter. I think he's in the pen for all of 2012 for that reason. The only way I see that changing is if we fall out of the race and we know that ain't happenin'

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Honest question: does anyone really think Chapman would be an instant success if he stepped into the rotation?

Aside from his having to work his arm into throwing for 6 innings, his entrance into the rotation will be a work in progress and I don't think we can afford to trade in our closer for a work in progress starter. I think he's in the pen for all of 2012 for that reason. The only way I see that changing is if we fall out of the race and we know that ain't happenin'

I certainly don't. But I also think he should be given a legitimate shot at it. I know I'll get laughed at, but I wouldn't be against stretching him back out after Bray & Masset come back and sending him to Louisville. Bring him back up if there's an injury. But I want him starting.

I always thought benching Marshall was a bad idea. A couple of bad luck games and he's no longer a closer? I never got that. But I want Chapman OUT of the closer role as soon as possible. The longer he's there, the higher the odds that he won't EVER leave it.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Honest question: does anyone really think Chapman would be an instant success if he stepped into the rotation?

That depends on your definition of success.

[WVRedsFan]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Honest question: does anyone really think Chapman would be an instant success if he stepped into the rotation?

Aside from his having to work his arm into throwing for 6 innings, his entrance into the rotation will be a work in progress and I don't think we can afford to trade in our closer for a work in progress starter. I think he's in the pen for all of 2012 for that reason. The only way I see that changing is if we fall out of the race and we know that ain't happenin'

No. Until he learns that he has to use off speed stuff to complement his heat, he will never be a starter -- or a successful closer. It's fun to watch him hit 100+, but as we saw tonight, see him enough and MLB hitters will catch up. Lots of learning to do. I'm betting on him.

[BearcatShane]

Now look, I didn't play major league baseball and I don't know what goes through Chapmans head. But I'm starting to wonder if the way people react to his fastball is getting into his head. I love seeing the triple didgets as much as the next guy but I'll tell ya what I like even more- seeing him get people out.

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by Chip R

That depends on your definition of success.

Well don't stop there. What kind of success do you think he'd attain this year as a starter? I'd say not enough to help this ballclub reach the playoffs. At best he'd be a 5 inning pitcher

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

I certainly don't. But I also think he should be given a legitimate shot at it. I know I'll get laughed at, but I wouldn't be against stretching him back out after Bray & Masset come back and sending him to Louisville. Bring him back up if there's an injury. But I want him starting.

I always thought benching Marshall was a bad idea. A couple of bad luck games and he's no longer a closer? I never got that. But I want Chapman OUT of the closer role as soon as possible. The longer he's there, the higher the odds that he won't EVER leave it.

So basically you're saying that it's OK with you if we remove him from the team while we're in a pennant race. I understand that it's important to get him into the rotation and all but I don't think it's worth jeopardizing our playoff chances. Those only come around once every ten yrs or so around here

[kaldaniels]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

So basically you're saying that it's OK with you if we remove him from the team while we're in a pennant race. I understand that it's important to get him into the rotation and all but I don't think it's worth jeopardizing our playoff chances. Those only come around once every ten yrs or so around here

If one believes the benefit of having him start outweighs having him close, then yes, you remove him from the team for a few weeks or a month.

Second, I reject the premise that the Reds organization is currently a team that makes the playoffs 1 in 10 years going forward.

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by kaldaniels

If one believes the benefit of having him start outweighs having him close, then yes, you remove him from the team for a few weeks or a month.

Of course but that's what this debate is all about. I don't think the benefits will outweigh losing a valuable member of our bullpen

Originally Posted by kaldaniels

Second, I reject the premise that the Reds organization is currently a team that makes the playoffs 1 in 10 years going forward.

I hope you're right and with the added WC spot, you very well may be but I don't think we should take these contending yrs lightly either

[kaldaniels]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Of course but that's what this debate is all about. I don't think the benefits will outweigh losing a valuable member of our bullpen


I hope you're right and with the added WC spot, you very well may be but I don't think we should take these contending yrs lightly either

I wouldn't move him into the rotation this year, but if one believes he can perform great as a starter in the second half, they shouldn't let the "but we are in a pennant race" angle deter them from converting him mid-season.