John Smoltz on Aroldis Chapman

Seems like back in April me and a guy named Spindoc were the only ones in the universe who wanted him in the closer role. The guy is perfectly suited to be one of the dominant closers of all time.

Four fifth's of the starting rotation is pretty well set for some time, why not leave him at closer, shore up the rest of the back end of the pen, and shorten games to six or seven innings for the next seven years?

Originally Posted by Blue Magic

I love watching the missile come in to close. I don't see any need to make him a starter. Would I rather have an absolutely dominant closer or a dominant starter? Of course the starter. But he would probably be rough around the edges, and maybe even an could happen injury down the road. Not really a risk I think they should take next season.

My question is which one is worst on an arm? Throwing as hard as you can three nights in a row sometimes? Or Starting one day out of 5 and probably taking a little off when starting since he will be throwing more pitches on days he starts? He very well could get hurt just as easily closing as he could starting IMO. I am not a doctor though, so I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by SSC

One more thing to add. You can win in the playoffs with Cueto, Latos and Bailey as your starters and they should be here a while.

I would change Bailey to either Arroyo or Leake. I just don't trust Bailey to be able to keep his composure in a playoff game. Arroyo has experience, and I would even trust Leake more to keep his composure in a big game. Bailey has had a good year besides his last two starts, but I still wouldn't have him in the top three for the playoffs.

Cueto - Arroyo - Latos

I know Chapman has always said that he wants to be a starter. Why in the world would he want to mess with the success he is having?

Is his agent pushing him on this? Starters tend to make more money than relievers, I hope that money isn't a factor in this decision.

Originally Posted by futurecoach

I would change Bailey to either Arroyo or Leake. I just don't trust Bailey to be able to keep his composure in a playoff game. Arroyo has experience, and I would even trust Leake more to keep his composure in a big game. Bailey has had a good year besides his last two starts, but I still wouldn't have him in the top three for the playoffs.

Yeah I agree with that if it's Arroyo. Arroyo gave them an awesome start in the 2010 playoffs too. Bailey game 4 works for me. I was just going based off stuff. I don't think this is their last year competing for playoff spots and the Reds need Bailey now and in the future.

Originally Posted by SSC

Yeah I agree with that if it's Arroyo. Arroyo gave them an awesome start in the 2010 playoffs too. Bailey game 4 works for me. I was just going based off stuff. I don't think this is their last year competing for playoff spots and the Reds need Bailey now and in the future.

I know I am very glad to see Bailey putting together a pretty good year for the most part, I know I always had high hopes for him. However I would take Leake over him still, Leake got off to a rough start this year. However since then he has done pretty well, and always shown the composure on the field at least that Homer hasn't shown all the time.