Ryan Madson ready to pitch as closer for Cincinnati Reds – MLB News
Ryan Madson shall have a new role this year as he signed a one-year $6 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds as a closer. The deal was sealed after the closer passed the physical, paving the way for an extraordinary position in the game.
Madson also has $11 million mutual option for 2013, something that he had to settle with the Cincinnati Reds. Madson is excited about the prospect and is looking forward to the team’s success in the regular season.
He believes the Reds have got the potential to make their way into the playoffs. If and when that happens, it will provide Madson a tremendous opportunity to unleash his weaponry of varying pitches, making things difficult for the opponents.
The closer’s role has only recently been assigned to the player. The deal with the Reds, however, retains much importance considering the fact that it was his own team, the Philadelphia Phillies, which intended to sign the player for four years with $44
million deal.
Nevertheless, Madson has his eyes set on the future now as he takes his cue from the past season where his ability to serve as a closer has been a success. He thinks the Reds also have a chance to go into the playoffs.
"It was an interesting offseason, as everybody knows," Madson said on a media conference call. "The opportunity came late. It was for the role I wanted, to close, which were few and far between at that time. To get the opportunity to close and close for
a team that has a really good chance to be in the playoffs, that's where you want to be as a player."
He says he is ‘excited’ to come and start a new chapter with the Reds. While, ideally, he could have stayed with the team with the deal he was offered, a new chance provided to him by the Reds should be utilised.
Having had 2.37 ERA with 32 saves in 2011, Madson has proved his utility. It is only a matter of time before one sees the closer representing the Reds.
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