I wanted to start a thread about this the other day but it fits perfect right here....has anyone thought about using Chapman as a closer but expand that role a little? I see no reason why he cant be our closer but pitch a little more than just the 9th inning or last out of the 8th inning then the 9th......I would love to use him more as a 2 inning guy. I understand that he might not be able to pitch as much if you do this but as it stands right now we have a pretty good list of bullpen arms and if we can add 1 more solid pen guy and Masset can come in strong then I see no reason why Chapman and Broxton cannot be dual closers with Chapman getting the majority......I just think it would be so great to not follow the herd of other teams using their closer for the last 3 outs only.
Think of it like this....Basically in a 3 game series like most are during the season....our starters only have to make it to the 6th inning...after that we have the option of using everyone except Broxton or Chapman for the 6th and 7th.....then in the 8th inning you bring your stud in, if he falters then you have a back up stud.....I cannot imagine many teams scoring more than the occasional run in the 8th or 9th inning if Chapman is pitching.....do the same with Broxton when Chapman needs a rest, or even Marshall......
Chapman is to good to just use for 3 outs.....but I am not sure I want him starting either....Joe Torre said last year that one of his regrets with managing was not trying to go against the grain with the closers role....During Rivera's earlier years he would pitch the last 4-6 outs more than most closers.....but Torre said that he wished he would have done that more often and used him as a 6 out pitcher....especially against divisional opponents.....Torre claimed that history stopped him from trying it then he joked about the players union would kill him if he did that.....
imagine the playoffs.....game 3, all Homer or Bronson or Latos has to do is get to the 6th inning and the rest sits in the hands of Marshall against lefties and Broxton against righties for the 6th and 7th with Masset helping out then you bring in the hammer in the 8th inning and all is good in Reds land......
I know it sounds silly but I would love to see it happen and really cannot see a lot of downside to it.