I saw this poll on MLBTradeRumors.com and thought it was interesting.

 

Aroldis Chapman threw 104 mph tonight in his second - and second dominant - big league appearance. The Cuban lefty struck out 12 batters per nine at Triple A in his pro debut this year and when the Reds promoted him, Chapmania ensued.

 

It wasn't long ago that Stephen Strasburg was the hard-throwing prospect making headlines and overpowering big leaguers. The Nationals right-hander famously struck out 14 in his major league debut en route to a 2.91 ERA with 12.2 K/9 as a rookie. But Strasburg's season ended early; he'll undergo Tommy John surgery this week and will likely miss the entire 2011 season.

 

Like Chapman, Strasburg is under control through 2016, but neither pitcher will come cheap. Taking into account Strasburg's injury and Chapman's control issues, let's ask a difficult question:

 

Would you rather have Stephen Strasburg or Aroldis Chapman going forward?

Chapman, because he is at least useable over the next 2 seasons.

^^ Agree, hard to pick Strasburg since he is out of service for quite some time

Case in point as to why I'd prefer to keep AC at the end of the pen. Slamming it shut in the 9th for many seasons to come. Let's look at B.Wagner for instance(also a 100mph leftwinger, albeit 6 inches shorter). He has logged many a big league season now as a closer. Obviously, he's battled some injury, but had he been a starter, would he have had that issue earlier, and more importantly, more severely? I know that these aren't guarantees, however, in my feeble brain, they make sense.

 

Answer, I'd take Chapman. And I'd have him close.

I'd want neither. Both are good now but with those arms in the starting rotation they are bound to blow out sooner than later. Joel Zumaya ring a bell? Reds would be better suited to use Chapman as a closer rather than starting rotation. If I had to choose I'd pick Chapman just based on current health.

I'd want neither. Both are good now but with those arms in the starting rotation they are bound to blow out sooner than later. Joel Zumaya ring a bell? Reds would be better suited to use Chapman as a closer rather than starting rotation. If I had to choose I'd pick Chapman just based on current health.

 

The most asinine thing I've ever read.........

Case in point as to why I'd prefer to keep AC at the end of the pen. Slamming it shut in the 9th for many seasons to come. Let's look at B.Wagner for instance(also a 100mph leftwinger, albeit 6 inches shorter). He has logged many a big league season now as a closer. Obviously, he's battled some injury, but had he been a starter, would he have had that issue earlier, and more importantly, more severely? I know that these aren't guarantees, however, in my feeble brain, they make sense.

 

Answer, I'd take Chapman. And I'd have him close.

 

 

That is also why I voted to have him close rather than start.

Case in point as to why I'd prefer to keep AC at the end of the pen. Slamming it shut in the 9th for many seasons to come. Let's look at B.Wagner for instance(also a 100mph leftwinger, albeit 6 inches shorter). He has logged many a big league season now as a closer. Obviously, he's battled some injury, but had he been a starter, would he have had that issue earlier, and more importantly, more severely? I know that these aren't guarantees, however, in my feeble brain, they make sense.

 

Answer, I'd take Chapman. And I'd have him close.

 

I take Chapman because of the injury and I absolutely work on getting him back to starting. The biggest need for the Reds is a dominant #1 pitcher. Not having one is going to hurt them in the post season this year. You have to get Chapman back to starting to get the most out of him. I would take a true #1 dominant starter over a top notch closer every time.

The most asinine thing I've ever read.........

He's a Braves guy. What can you say?

I take Chapman because of the injury and I absolutely work on getting him back to starting. The biggest need for the Reds is a dominant #1 pitcher. Not having one is going to hurt them in the post season this year. You have to get Chapman back to starting to get the most out of him. I would take a true #1 dominant starter over a top notch closer every time.

If you could guarantee he'd last physically, I'd be all for it. Just not sure it can happen. Since Seaver, how many starters have been able to throw/pitch with this velocity and maintain? Mark Prior? Others?

 

While I agree that he'd be perfect as a starter all things equal, I would rather not blow him out by the all star break of 2011.

If you can afford to, put him in the closer role. The Reds have done well this year without a true #1. I could see Cueto or Volquez eventually ending up as a dominant 1, or maybe even Bailey. You still have Wood and Leake. The only thing better than running him out there every 5th day is running him out there everyday.

 

3 years ago...STARTER!!!

He's a Braves guy. What can you say?

 

Hey!

 

The funny thing is, you said in your next post essentially the same thing he said, just in a different way. Sv said he'd want neither as starters because of the wear on their arm.

Hey!

 

The funny thing is, you said in your next post essentially the same thing he said, just in a different way. Sv said he'd want neither as starters because of the wear on their arm.

Yes, I said it in jest. That refers to humor. Of course, one would need a sense of humor to have gotten that. I'd check Ebay.

Hey!

 

The funny thing is, you said in your next post essentially the same thing he said, just in a different way. Sv said he'd want neither as starters because of the wear on their arm.

 

He ended with, "If I had to pick..." How many times have you said that when you really wanted something? Regardless of the role, I find it humorous that he wouldn't want the two most highly touted pitching prospects in the last decade. But, to each his own.

Yes, I said it in jest. That refers to humor. Of course, one would need a sense of humor to have gotten that. I'd check Ebay.

 

You get less funny with each post.