The Cincinnati Reds are expected to decide in the next few days what role flame throwing Aroldis Chapman will have for the 2013 season, a starter or the closer. Apparently those within the Reds organization have differing opinions.
General manager Walt Jocketty and pitching coach Bryan Price have favored making Chapman a starter, while manager Dusty Baker has been considered the strongest advocate of leaving him in the bullpen. Chapman finished the 2012 season with a 1.51 ERA and 38 saves.
Chapman voiced his opinion on what role he prefers In that opinion should count. “I would like to be a closer, but that’s not in my hands,” Chapman said.
Chapman’s start was effective but unremarkable. Working as a starter isn’t new to Chapman. He worked as a starter last spring and became the closer in May.
The Reds re-signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year deal in November presenting the team with the option of moving Chapman to the rotation. Moving from the bullpen to the rotation doesn’t always work. Joba Chamberlain, Neftali Feliz andDaniel Bard represent three recent attempts at converting relievers to starters at the MLB level and having the plan backfire through injury or ineffectiveness.
At this point you have to wonder how effective Chapman would be as a starter, if you don’t have his buy in. “When you start, you use your pitches in a different way,” he said. “You need to save energy, and you use speed as the game demands it.”
Judging from his comments it’s clear what he wants to do, “I would like to be a closer,” he said, “but it’s up to them.” Actually, with that statement he may have made the decision for them.
