Reports are that the Cincinnati Reds have not decided whether they plan to use closer Aroldis Chapman in the same role or use him as a starter in 2013. Chapman thrived in that role in 2012, leading the Reds to a NL Central division title with 38 saves, a 1.51 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP while striking out 122 batters in 71 2/3 IP. Though he certainly has proven to have the makeup of being a top closer, there are fairly common sense reasons the Reds are considering using him as a starter next season.
Chapman, currently at age 24, will be about to enter the forth year of a five year, $25.5 million contract he signed with the Reds after coming over from Cuba. Since joining the Reds, he has pitched predominantly out of the bullpen. He was given the chance to close when Ryan Madson, who was signed as a free agent from the Phillies, was lost for the entire 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery. Chapman served as a setup man in 2011, but the plan was to use him as a starting pitcher last year.
Personally, I think the Reds should give him the opportunity to pitch as a starter. They at least owe it to themselves to know whether he can be that #1 starter scouts were saying he can be. His ceiling as an ace starter outweights that of an ace reliever. Plus Chapman has only pitched as a reliever during his time with the MLB Reds. Prior to that, he had been used exclusively as a top starting pitcher in Cuba. Add in the fact that the Reds have interest in bringing back Madson and/ or Jonathan Broxton, it is worth it for them to see this out.
If Chapman establishes himself as a dominant starter this season, it gives the Reds two seasons of having Chapman as a bargain. He is only scheduled to make $2 million next season and $3 million in 2014. Imagine if he performs to that of a top starter. It is already a bargain for a closer.
My question is when does the value of a closer trump that of a starting pitcher? In a case involving Neftali Feliz? A closer has more value than that of a fifth starter, right? The way the game has changed has put a lot more value in the back end of a team's bullpen. If a fifth starter is only getting you five innings, that arm should be better suited to being a late game reliever. Thats why I think Feliz should close again next season. The Rangers have already decided that Alexei Ogando will go back to starting next season. Feliz is a fifth starter with a ceiling of a 3 or 4. Chapman can be a top starter in the NL, let alone be Cincinnati's ace, so to me its a no brainer.
Personally, I think the Reds should give him the opportunity to pitch as a starter. They at least owe it to themselves to know whether he can be that #1 starter scouts were saying he can be. His ceiling as an ace starter outweights that of an ace reliever. Plus Chapman has only pitched as a reliever during his time with the MLB Reds. Prior to that, he had been used exclusively as a top starting pitcher in Cuba. Add in the fact that the Reds have interest in bringing back Madson and/ or Jonathan Broxton, it is worth it for them to see this out.
If Chapman establishes himself as a dominant starter this season, it gives the Reds two seasons of having Chapman as a bargain. He is only scheduled to make $2 million next season and $3 million in 2014. Imagine if he performs to that of a top starter. It is already a bargain for a closer.
My question is when does the value of a closer trump that of a starting pitcher? In a case involving Neftali Feliz? A closer has more value than that of a fifth starter, right? The way the game has changed has put a lot more value in the back end of a team's bullpen. If a fifth starter is only getting you five innings, that arm should be better suited to being a late game reliever. Thats why I think Feliz should close again next season. The Rangers have already decided that Alexei Ogando will go back to starting next season. Feliz is a fifth starter with a ceiling of a 3 or 4. Chapman can be a top starter in the NL, let alone be Cincinnati's ace, so to me its a no brainer.
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