I never said that I don't think he'll have a say in it. I just don't think he should, or any GM, for that matter.

 

Then what the hell are you trying to debate?

Then what the hell are you trying to debate?

 

I clearly stated why I don't think he should be a starter. I also don't think GM's should make those decisions. While I trust Dusty to make the right decision, I hope he proves me wrong if he does make him a starter.

 

Pretty clear, actually.

No reason to believe Marshall (Or someone else next year) couldn't handle the closer role. The drop off wouldn't be that significant and what he could do as a starter in terms of wins could more than make up for it. It's just a lot prettier when Chapman closes games.

 

Marshall is 9 of 12 - 75%

 

Chapman is 29 of 33 - 88%

 

A good number of closers have a better Save % than Chapman. It's just more fun to watch him do it and that's the main concern for some it seems.

No chance in Hades I want Marshall closing. Not one minute.

As for Chapman winning 15, perhaps he could. However, I'll agree with Crash, no chance he's successful without adding to his arsenal. Secondly, I can't believe that Walt can't make a similar deal in the off season like he did for Latos. Surely there is enough to make a deal, that perhaps could include Homer, and make the top end even stronger. I'd prefer to keep the end of the pen next to Fort Knox.

And for the record, I'm not opposed to Chapman being a starter. That was never my contention. Only that if he's in the pen he has to close. I do think he thrives on the adrenalin of the ninth. Everyone sticks around and stands to see the cheese. I think he feeds off that. I don't know if he can feel the same juice as the starter. I understand it's not his decision to make. But pitchers are whacky. (See Roy Oswalt) I think he's found his niche. I wonder if he still has the desire to be a starter.

 

I think he'd feel the juice of a "big contract" if he can be as good as a starter.

He would dig being a 20 game winner and leading the league is strikeouts as well.

 

 

 

...and getting a fat new contract extension.

IMO, he won't do as well with only a fastball and 5 sliders per game. There's a reason Pittsburgh has looked better against him than anyone else, they have seen him more. If he can't throw his slider more consistently or develop a third pitch, they will hit him.

 

Eventually MLB hitters will catch up to the fastball.

 

If you paid any attention in spring training you would have seen that he has more than 2 pitches. In a starting role he would throw the changeup and occassional curve balls in addition to the slider. Different needs as a starter and closer.

Point being, Walt shouldn't deem him anything. It's Dusty's team.

 

Somehow I don't think that Walt and Bob feel quite the same way.

If you paid any attention in spring training you would have seen that he has more than 2 pitches. In a starting role he would throw the changeup and occassional curve balls in addition to the slider. Different needs as a starter and closer.

 

I didn't. I also read where Ludwick almost got cut because of spring training. With questions of who was going to be the 5th starter I would've thought they would've gone to Chapman as a starter this year if they were confident in his ability to get guys out after facing them two or three times in the lineup.

Somehow I don't think that Walt and Bob feel quite the same way.

 

I never said otherwise. I said they shouldn't. Neither played baseball past high school. I take Dusty's word over both of them.

I didn't. I also read where Ludwick almost got cut because of spring training. With questions of who was going to be the 5th starter I would've thought they would've gone to Chapman as a starter this year if they were confident in his ability to get guys out after facing them two or three times in the lineup.

 

 

If you paid attention Dusty and Walt and them even said that Chapman was probably their best starter during spring training. He did nothing wrong not to have a chance to be a starter during spring training, if anything he showed that he did deserve a chance to start. However the Reds bullpen situation and having more than enough starters made him have to go the bullpen with their closer getting hurt and Bray being out and wow I can't think of his name but the guy who had been our setup guy the last two years. That is the only reason he got sent to the bullpen, not because he didn't show he could start.

I never said otherwise. I said they shouldn't. Neither played baseball past high school. I take Dusty's word over both of them.

 

Also how far someone has played in their career means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING when it comes to saying who's opinion may be better. If that was the case every coach in every sport should be former hall of famers, because since they are hall of famers it means they nothing how to run a team better. Some of the best coaches in ALL SPORTS were never really that good of players. So very weak argument saying since the other guys didn't play past high school, that means Dusty definitely knows better.

Also how far someone has played in their career means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING when it comes to saying who's opinion may be better. If that was the case every coach in every sport should be former hall of famers, because since they are hall of famers it means they nothing how to run a team better. Some of the best coaches in ALL SPORTS were never really that good of players. So very weak argument saying since the other guys didn't play past high school, that means Dusty definitely knows better.

 

Not weak. Ever been in a clubhouse? Ever talked to a professional about their opinion? Ever heard why Larkin was so ticked at McKeon when he was playing? I don't believe you have to play to be a good manager but it takes a whole hell of a lot to garner the respect of your players if you haven't played. Fact.

If you paid attention Dusty and Walt and them even said that Chapman was probably their best starter during spring training. He did nothing wrong not to have a chance to be a starter during spring training, if anything he showed that he did deserve a chance to start. However the Reds bullpen situation and having more than enough starters made him have to go the bullpen with their closer getting hurt and Bray being out and wow I can't think of his name but the guy who had been our setup guy the last two years. That is the only reason he got sent to the bullpen, not because he didn't show he could start.

 

So what makes anyone think they would take their "best starter" and start him next year since they didn't last year?

Ask them now and "Dusty and Walt and them" would say Chapman is the best reliever in baseball. If they don't, they should probably go back to high school baseball. Should he start next season? Depends on what they accomplish in the offseason. Can they add another in the same vein as Latos? If they do, I'd park the missile at the back of the pen and that makes that genius manager have to only think about 8 innings on most nights.