Country Roads Confidential

Isn't Hamilton a shortstop?

@Ken_Rosenthal: Rival GM on #Reds' reported decision to use Chapman as closer: "Makes sense. Both manager and player want it." Might be as simple as that.

I figured this would happen. Made no sense to move the dominate closer into rotation.

Always hate to see guys who are true dominant closers being moved to starter. I'm having a hard time thinking of situations where that has worked out.

From Reds beat writer
Bad decision.

TML won’t be in Goodyear today. But a question I might have asked:

WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU DOING ALL OFFSEASON?

What happened to the plan?

Why did you spend $21 million on J. Broxton to pitch the 8th? You’re already spending big bucks on a setup guy, Marshall.

Is there something wrong w/Chappy? I’m not talking about shoulder fatigue from a couple years ago. If we shut down pitchers for shoulder fatigue or general pitching pains, most would never pitch. Has he not pitched well enough to justify the decision made last fall? Why not?

Does this indicate D Baker calls the big shots now?

He doesnt have a good 2nd pitch, or a viable changeup, Paul. Right. You mean to tell me that a guy with his ability, in his 3rd big league season, can not/has not learned to throw at least a decent slider? A passable change? I call BS on that. I watched his slider 2 years ago. You did, too. If the Reds didnt think he could master a 2nd pitch, why did they pay him in the first place? The original idea was for to be a top of the rotation guy.

I won’t go over, again, the multitude of reasons, obvious, obscure, statistical and common-sensical, that Chapman should be in the rotation. I’ll add this to the party:

Having him close is a bad financial deal, too.

He’s arb-eligible next winter. Two great closing seasons will cost The Club more money than one solid season as a starter;

If he closes, the Reds will need another starter after this year, assuming this is if for B. Arroyo, which is a safe assumption. If Chapman had been in the rotation and done even moderately well, they’d need a middle reliever. The cash difference between those 2 commodities is significant.

Beyond Dusty stomping his foot and publicly lobbying, not sure what the reasoning here is for the change in plans. The Reds should be very good, regardless, between April and September. But they are bypassing a wonderful opportunity to bolster their October chances. Seemingly just so a manager can retain his security blanket. Bad move. For no good reasons.

Now, then. . .

GLOBAL WARMING. Right.

Leake is the favorite right now and is showing improvement .. have to remember this is only his 3rd year in ANY pro ball as he never went to the minors

He will start the year in AAA, he is still trying to learn CF but could be called up as early as Aug, baring any injuries

Might be off here but I hope FF can get close to . 300 an maybe Simmons if he stays healthy at ss.

Is anyone interested in a fantasy baseball league? I'm trying to get a serious one--develop a keeper league and such. It takes a die-hard baseball fan to do it though. Just throwing the idea out there.

I think this could be our yea... go reds!!!

The Braves lineup is the best in the NL, pitching is above average, bullpen is above average and their outfield will give them a huge advantage on defense. Add in the fact that they play a lot of games against the Marlins and Mets and they should be a playoff team. The biggest two obstacles are the health of Roy Halladay and if they are better than the nationals to win the division.

The only issue with them will be how they do in the playoffs when pitching dominates free-swinging lineups and if they face the dreaded one game playoff again.

So... umm... Nationals look pretty good. Strasburg has gotten 12 straight batters out and Bryce Harper has two home runs in two at bats.

MLB network projects Jedd Gyorko as the NL rookie of the year

For those interested, Comcast (and probably others) are providing all the MLB channels for free. I think it lasts a week or so.