Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Aroldis Chapman Looking To Get Rotation Spot
Aroldis Chapman will be attempting to get a starter spot this spring with the Cincinnati Reds.
Chapman will be given the opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation as the Reds want to get as much out of the $30 million investmant as possible.
“We are going to stretch him out,” manager Dusty Baker said. “We are going to see if there is enough time and he can do it. If there isn’t enough time or quality, we can send him back to the bullpen.”
Chapman was scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League as a starter, and then in one of the Puerto Rican winter leagues, but shoulder soreness canceled those plans.
“We would have the answers by now,” Baker said, “if things went according to plan.”
Chapman now only has the spring to prove he is starter material.
“I worked hard all winter to get myself mentally and physically prepared to be a starter,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “I have been here for 2 1-2 weeks to be prepared.”
If he is doesn’t show that he is starter ready, Baker and the Reds have a few backup plans.
“A lot depends on how he does, but it also depends on our needs,” the manager said. “If he doesn’t make the rotation, we could send him to (Triple-A) Louisville. But I wouldn’t be opposed to having three lefthanders in our bullpen.”
Chapman seems like he is ready to put in the work to prove he is a starter but will be fine with either decision.
“If they make the decision to put me in the bullpen,” he said, “I will continue to work hard to prove that I can be a starter and work all the innings they want me to.”
Chapman is the only left handed option that the reds have for the rotation but he still needs to prove he is ready.
“You prefer a lefty in your rotation, but you want to go with your five best starters,” Baker said. “A good righty is better than a bad lefty.”
My money is that they will use Chapman as a starter at some point but best decision is to have him as a spot starter and relief duty to begin the season and prove he is ready for the responsibility that comes with being a major league starter.
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