Reds Sign Ryan Madson

[SirFelixCat]

:happydance:

Anxious to see the years & $, but I'm in support of this.

[VR]

The Reds have added Latos, Marshall, and Madson to their pitching staff.

Say that out loud a few times.

[Scrap Irony]

This staff is moving very close to above average.

Above average Cincinnati pitchers
Mat Latos
Johnny Cueto
Sean Marshall
Ryan Madson
Bill Bray
Aroldis Chapman
Jose Arredondo

Those With the Upside to be Above Average
Mike Leake
Homer Bailey
Sam LeCure
Nick Masset
Logan Ondrusek

Really, only Arroyo looks like a poor bet to at least touch league average for 2012.

[savafan]

Unreal! I agree with *BaseClogger* that the Reds got the best closer available, along with the best set up man and traded for the best young pitcher. I think Walt just won the Hot Stove League.

[savafan]

Really, only Arroyo looks like a poor bet to at least touch league average for 2012.

And he could win you anywhere from 11-17 games.

[PuffyPig]

Madson is young so that is good but I just wonder if this is a lateral move? Not to put a damper on the trade but Codero gave the Reds 37 saves compared to 32 with Madson. Yet Codero just pitched 9 more innings than Madson. We can assume then that Codero had 9 more save opportunities. Even if Madson manages to get 9 more saves (none of them being blown saves in this scenario), does it put the Reds over the top? Don't get me wrong, it's a good move by the Reds but I think this is a reason why, as someone alluded to earlier, that it might not be a good idea to pay a lot of money for the closer position. Having that guy at the end of the bullpen is needed but it isn't something that will make a team an automatic favorite to win a division or put them over the top. Is improving by four wins (again assuming that all of those 9 extra save opportunities are not blown saves) going to put them over the top when the Reds were 17 games back last year?

Mike, I'm disappointed in you.

Cordero was a poor pitcher last year. Even Ryan Franklin got lots of save for the Cards.

Madson had an xFIP below 3 in each of the last 2 years. Cordero averaged 4.25 during that time.

The Reds 8-9 ining guys are as good as any in baseball. Which bumps guys like Masset, Bray, etc. into middle relief.

[kaldaniels]

I'm stunned it played out this way. Well done front office!

[savafan]

It looks like it's a one year deal according to Heyman, but no dollar amount announced yet.

[reds44]

One year deal.

[traderumor]

Above average Cincinnati pitchers
Mat Latos
Johnny Cueto
Sean Marshall
Ryan Madson
Bill Bray
Aroldis Chapman
Jose Arredondo

Those With the Upside to be Above Average
Mike Leake
Homer Bailey
Sam LeCure
Nick Masset
Logan Ondrusek

Really, only Arroyo looks like a poor bet to at least touch league average for 2012.

Exciting, isn't it? Especially with a team that plays the best D in the league two years running and have been 1-2 in RS the last two seasons. All those guys are still here and some live arms have been added. This should be a very good team.

[Scrap Irony]

Cincinnati Forecast Bullpen
Ryan Madson-- Closer
Sean Marshall-- Set-up (LH)
Jose Arredondo-- Set-up (RH)
Nick Masset-- Middle relief
Bill Bray-- LOOGY
Sam LeCure-- Middle relief
Logan Ondrusek-- Long man

[MikeThierry]

Mike, I'm disappointed in you.

Cordero was a poor pitcher last year. Even Ryan Franklin got lots of save for the Cards.

Madson had an xFIP below 3 in each of the last 2 years. Cordero averaged 4.25 during that time.

The Reds 8-9 ining guys are as good as any in baseball. Which bumps guys like Masset, Bray, etc. into middle relief.

FIP does not matter when it comes to a closer. The thing that matters is if they save the game or not. That is it. Its the most bottom line position in baseball, in my opinion. I never said that Coco was good. However he did give the Reds 37 saves last season. The whole point I'm trying to drive home is that by adding 4-5 extra saves, does that make the Reds a 90 win team in 2012? If Madson gives the Reds 42 saves in 2012, does that close the gap enough to be division winners?

[redsfan30]

With the departures in the division and the additions we have made, we have to be considered the favorites in the National League Central.

And I am wondering if we will now be in the conversation for best in the National League.

[kaldaniels]

FIP does not matter when it comes to a closer. The thing that matters is if they save the game or not. That is it. Its the most bottom line position in baseball, in my opinion. I never said that Coco was good. However he did give the Reds 37 saves last season. The whole point I'm trying to drive home is that by adding 4-5 extra saves, does that make the Reds a 90 win team in 2012? If Madson gives the Reds 42 saves in 2012, does that close the gap enough to be division winners?

Stop for a second Mike. Save totals are not the best tool to project future success closing out ball games.

[reds44]

The fact that this is a one year deal allows Walt to play games with some money. He can go out and try to get a LFer to a multi year contract and backload the deal.