Personally, I like the idea of having guys that have proven to be able to start in the pen. In the event you have one of your starters with a stint on the DL, plug one of them in. Bring up a Louisvillian to fill that roster spot in the pen. I know not all pitchers have that makeup, but that's just my preference.

 

No takers on my Chapman to close idea?

 

Randy Johnson would have been a "great" closer as well. I'm sure the teams that had him were happier he was a starter. If Chapman has Johnson stuff don't you think he needs to be looked to the future as a starter.

 

Lot of horses run to win the Derby, but its usually after the Derby when folks realize that they are milers or better suited for the turf...

He has too much talent to be a closer. He needs to be a starter. Maybe this year or next be in the closing role but in the end he will end up being a Cy Young starter.

 

 

No pressure there or anything. He's thrown 77 AAA innings, I think its a little early to be predicting a Cy Young Award for him. There have been several pitchers with the arms to be big winners that didn't have the makeup. Just a couple of years ago people were proclaiming Joba Chamberlain and the next dominant starter, now he's struggling to hold onto his job as a setup man. Both pitchers may eventually be dominant but predicting the longterm success of young pitchers is very hard to do.

Randy Johnson would have been a "great" closer as well. I'm sure the teams that had him were happier he was a starter. If Chapman has Johnson stuff don't you think he needs to be looked to the future as a starter.

 

Lot of horses run to win the Derby, but its usually after the Derby when folks realize that they are milers or better suited for the turf...

Well, I think the same argument could have been made about Bailey and his stuff when he was signed after the first round. But here's my thing, wouldn't it be nice to turn the game over to someone who was lights out? I'm not trying to make this a Coco bash at all, but I'm thinking Wagner in his prime type stuff. I think there's a far better chance he's that guy than a Randy Johnson. And if the Reds are in this position with the starting staff for the forseeable future, I'd like to see a lid shutter at the end of the ballgame. I agree about the offense also. But one would have to assume that Bruce and Stubbs will get a better clue at the plate with age. Votto and BP are gonna continue to put up #'s. I'd have to think that if there is a hole to fill ASAP, it's be shortstop. If we have pitching leverage, it's entirely possible we could shore that position up for the future.

No pressure there or anything. He's thrown 77 AAA innings, I think its a little early to be predicting a Cy Young Award for him. There have been several pitchers with the arms to be big winners that didn't have the makeup. Just a couple of years ago people were proclaiming Joba Chamberlain and the next dominant starter, now he's struggling to hold onto his job as a setup man. Both pitchers may eventually be dominant but predicting the longterm success of young pitchers is very hard to do.

Exactly, kinda goes without saying. RedSox paid a fortune for a cat who dominated oriental dudes but hasn't been much on this side of the pond. I don't think the Reds are going to rush Chapman to the majors and frankly they don't have to, thanfully. However, I think that they have the makings of a serious staff for the future and that includes what I would consider a dominant closer in the making in Chapman.

He has too much talent to be a closer. He needs to be a starter. Maybe this year or next be in the closing role but in the end he will end up being a Cy Young starter.

 

Cincy has many much more polished SP than Chapman. He has all the upside in the world but right now he doesn't belong in the rotation over Arroyo, Volquez, Cueto, Wood or Leake. In a must win game at the moment I'd even put the likes of Maloney and LeCure on the hill before Chapman.

 

Chapman is yet to have much success in Louisville as either a starter or reliever. Could he win the Cy Young? Sure. At this point it's much more likely he won't even be the ace of the Reds.

Well, I think the same argument could have been made about Bailey and his stuff when he was signed after the first round. But here's my thing, wouldn't it be nice to turn the game over to someone who was lights out? I'm not trying to make this a Coco bash at all, but I'm thinking Wagner in his prime type stuff. I think there's a far better chance he's that guy than a Randy Johnson. And if the Reds are in this position with the starting staff for the forseeable future, I'd like to see a lid shutter at the end of the ballgame. I agree about the offense also. But one would have to assume that Bruce and Stubbs will get a better clue at the plate with age. Votto and BP are gonna continue to put up #'s. I'd have to think that if there is a hole to fill ASAP, it's be shortstop. If we have pitching leverage, it's entirely possible we could shore that position up for the future.

 

I think Bailey has gotten his chance to start. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him in the pen for the rest of this season. As for closing, thats as much mentality as it is talent. Chapman isn't throwing strikes in AAA. I just don't think he's ready for a promotion yet.

 

The hitting doesn't concern me yet. Young teams are gonna have slumps and battling through them makes them tougher and more confident. I would like to see Heisey get a few more AB's.

Edited July 21, 201016 yr by Da champ
grammar

I think Bailey has gotten his chance to start. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him in the pen for the rest of this season. As for closing, thats as much mentality as it is talent. Chapman isn't throwing strikes in AAA. I just don't think he's ready for a promotion yet.

 

The hitting doesn't concern me yet. Young teams are gonna have slumps and battling through them makes them tougher and more confident. I would like to see Heisey get a few more AB's.

I'm not suggesting now. I'm talking future.

I'm not suggesting now. I'm talking future.

 

Speaking of the future I would look more towards Bailey than Chapman as a closer.

There is no reason to trade Bruce ... he may not be as good as everyone would like him to be, but he's still young and has a lot of upside. The Reds could use a lefty hitter to share time with Gomes.

 

Why could they use a lefty hitter to share time with Gomes? Gomes is hitting .287 with 9 HR & 41 RBI against right handed pitchers. His OBP is a little lower & his BB:K could use some work, but benching Jonny Gomes against RHP is not the answer.

Chapman is young and lacks much professional experience ... as solid as the Reds are in the starting rotation, there is no reason to bring him up anytime soon, given his up-and-down performance at Louisville and his command issues.

 

As far as the chances of him becoming a closer ... someday, perhaps. Given his youth, talent and the money the Reds have invested in him, it behooves them to give him every chance to prove he can be an MLB-quality starter.

If I were Walt, I would be willing to deal a pitcher & Jonny Gomes for a big time bat. I love Jonny Gomes & what he brings to the table, but the facts of the matter are that he's having a career year. He's 29, pushing 30 years old, and his stock is at an all-time high. If we could deal him & somebody like Lecure or Maloney, I would be willing to do so.

 

Trading Jay Bruce for Corey Hart would be one of the worst deals I've ever seen.

Why could they use a lefty hitter to share time with Gomes? Gomes is hitting .287 with 9 HR & 41 RBI against right handed pitchers. His OBP is a little lower & his BB:K could use some work, but benching Jonny Gomes against RHP is not the answer.

I didn't say that benching Gomes against righties was the answer, but given his K-BB ratio against them, he isn't likely to stay very productive against them.

 

Gomes historically has struggled at times against righties and hit better against lefties. And when you check out Gomes' home-road numbers, it's evident that he could use some help out there, especially on the road.

If I were Walt, I would be willing to deal a pitcher & Jonny Gomes for a big time bat. I love Jonny Gomes & what he brings to the table, but the facts of the matter are that he's having a career year. He's 29, pushing 30 years old, and his stock is at an all-time high. If we could deal him & somebody like Lecure or Maloney, I would be willing to do so.

 

Trading Jay Bruce for Corey Hart would be one of the worst deals I've ever seen.

I doubt that Gomes, given his home-road breakdowns and his poor defense, has much trade value.

Speaking of the future I would look more towards Bailey than Chapman as a closer.

 

I think Bailey is a short timer.

I think Bailey is a short timer.

 

That wouldn't surprise me either. Right now is value is pretty low. How long has it been since he pitched?