Reds dwell on rotation moves – MLB News
An intelligent decision requires figment of imagination. But every intelligent decision will be subject to scrutiny given many who look at it are always at two different ends of spectrum.
That is what the Cincinnati Reds are precisely faced with at the moment as the debate on using Aroldis Chapman as starter rages on. On Thursday, December 20, manager Dusty Baker spoke on the issue in detail.
For him, the pros and cons of it have to be assessed critically for the decision will have big impact on the team. Chapman, after all, had his success as a closer this past season. Converting him to starter will be tantamount to undertaking a risk.
"I think regardless of where people stand on the question, I think the days of hiking a pitcher's innings number by 50 or 60 or 80 innings in today's standards would be considered irresponsible," Reds pitching coach Bryan Price said. "We're going to be very
conscientious of that.”
Interestingly, the debate right now seems more of a speculation since the Reds manager says the club has not yet come to a final conclusion on who will actually be used in rotation. Be that as it may, the Reds are all ready for the challenge.
"However, we haven't set any exact numbers or even gotten to the point of naming our starting rotation. If we were to move forward with Chappy in the rotation, there will have to be some creativity involved in how we do it. That will be a challenge, but
a challenge we're up to."
That which pops up as an issue that needs immediate attention and corresponding action is the fact that Chapman had to be shut down for few games in the middle of the season due to shoulder fatigue.
Since Aroldis Chapman was pitching a closer, and pitched a total of 71 2/3 innings, using him for over 150 or over 200 innings would entail challenges for the club. The Reds, goes without saying, have all these facts in the mind. It is this aspect that will
consume their time before having a logical conclusion.
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