Cincinnati Reds to have a formidable pitching combination – MLB News
As the reports of talks between the Cincinnati Reds and Ryan Ludwick surfaced on Thursday, November 29, club’s avid fans expected a deal will materialise. While Ludwick offers experience and power to the Reds’ offence, the club seems fortified and bolstered when it comes to pitching.
Earlier, the Reds' signed reliever Jonathan Broxton on $21 million for three years, a deal not only widely anticipated but also greatly welcomed. The Reds, for long, were considering moving Aroldis Chapman into the rotation.
With the move to formally sign a three-year contract with Broxton, the Reds are in a much safer and comfortable position to make that move. Previously having a setup role, Broxton can now pitch as a closer.
Which essentially means Chapman can easily be moved to the rotation. The Reds wanted to do that before the commencement of 2012 Major League Baseball season. However, that did not translate into action due largely to the injury that plagued Ryan Madson.
Madson was brought in as the closer for the Reds. Sean Marshall was to pitch as a closer as well. But as Chapman went to on to become closer, his was a scintillating performance wherein he had 38 saves in 43 chances which was one of the best in the National League.
Chapman at some point had 24-for-24 in save opportunities. That was a club record and eventually helped the player to win Major League Baseball’s Delivery Man of the Month Awards in July and August.
His being shut-down for 10 games due to shoulder fatigue may have been a worrying development for the Reds. But what went to the club’s favour was that they had some back-up in the bullpen.
Nonetheless, unlike the regular season where they had 97-65 record, in the post-season games they could not achieve the intended target.
Next year, the way they showed in the past season, pitching will be the Reds’ forte. With the likes of Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman’s potential addition in the rotation as Jonathan Broxton pitching as a closer, the Reds will have a formidable combination to unleash against the rivals.
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