[OffTheHook]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Aroldis Chapman doesn't like the uncertainty that has come with being taken out of the closer role and thrust into the mix for a job in the Reds' rotation.
So he decided to make his preference known Saturday: He wants to close.
His manager, Dusty Baker, wants to hear that directly from Chapman before he decides whether the left-hander will be the Reds' fifth starter or their finisher.
Chapman with the 100 mph fastball saved 38 games for the Reds in 2012. On Saturday, he made his second start of spring training and fourth overall appearance, including a minor league game on March 11.
He allowed a run and two hits with three walks and two strikeouts in four innings as the Reds won a split squad game over the San Francisco Giants, 7-6.
"I'm waiting to hear [the decision] so I can feel better, concentrate more," Chapman said. "I don't think [it's a distraction] because when you go out there to pitch, you can't think about that. But it still would be better to know what they're going to do.
"The truth is, if they were to make the decision, I would want to be the closer," Chapman said, "but it's not in my hands."
Chapman said he relishes the role of closer because of the rush of pitching in the ninth inning. Baker said he'd planned to speak with Chapman about it after he'd pitched.
"You hear all kinds of stuff. You hear it from his camp. You hear it from people talking and everybody thinks they're in the know," Baker said after the game. "We are going to do what's best for the team and for him. But it makes it a lot easier when you get the person's blessing."
Baker said he was happy Chapman finally spoke up about the situation because he doesn't always talk to those who make such decisions.
As for the game, Baker felt Chapman didn't throw many quality pitches, but because of his overpowering stuff he was able to pitch out of trouble.
Chapman walked the first two hitters he faced and threw a wild pitch in the inning, but settled down.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2013/story/...ants-close





IMHO...This is where he should be. Could be one of the best to ever do it!

[More Cowbell]

Aroldis is being paid a lot of money to do whatever role the team wants him to do. If they want him to start, he needs to shut up and do his job.

If I remember right, he was always going to be a starter when he was signed by the Reds anyway. He was only moved to closer last year after Ryan Madson got hurt, and I didn't agree with the move then either.

[The Blue Blur]

Aroldis is being paid a lot of money to do whatever role the team wants him to do. If they want him to start, he needs to shut up and do his job.

If I remember right, he was always going to be a starter when he was signed by the Reds anyway. He was only moved to closer last year after Ryan Madson got hurt, and I didn't agree with the move then either.

He shuts up & does what the team wants, it'll cost him as well as the team. He doesn't throw a lot of breaking stuff, & throwing 100+ mph fastballs for 5+ innings an outing. It won't take long for him to deaden his arm. IMHO, he's doing the right thing by speaking out & OTH is right it's a better suited job for him. He could wind up being one of the greats. I think the staff was crazy for ever thinking he should be a starter.

[Mr. Pike Central]

If that is what he wants...then they should let him do it.

I'm all for it.

[Curveball 24]

let him close!!!!

[Stardust]

Aroldis is being paid a lot of money to do whatever role the team wants him to do. If they want him to start, he needs to shut up and do his job.

If I remember right, he was always going to be a starter when he was signed by the Reds anyway. He was only moved to closer last year after Ryan Madson got hurt, and I didn't agree with the move then either.

He wanted to be a starter and was set to NOT re-sign with the Reds if he did not get a chance at starting. Dusty wanted him solely as a closer, but the Reds backed off to allow him the chance to see if this would work. Looks like all parties have decided that being a starter is not in the cards.

[Jarons]

Chapman is better off as the closer

[OffTheHook]

He shuts up & does what the team wants, it'll cost him as well as the team. He doesn't throw a lot of breaking stuff, & throwing 100+ mph fastballs for 5+ innings an outing. It won't take long for him to deaden his arm. IMHO, he's doing the right thing by speaking out & OTH is right it's a better suited job for him. He could wind up being one of the greats. I think the staff was crazy for ever thinking he should be a starter.

Agree 100%!

[panther nation]

He is a great closer, but with the amount of money the reds are paying him, he should get the chance to see if he can be a starter. If you could get 150-180 inning out of him this year that could very well be 14-17 wins.
When the reds signed him it was to be a starter wasn't it?? Lets start him if it works out then he could very well be the ace on this team if by mid June its not working then move him back to the pen.. But you have to take the chance that it will work. That why the reds spent all that money was for a great starter pitcher known as the Cuban Missile!!!

[Curveball 24]

I dont like the Reds want to take any chances with this years team.
They are here to win the world series!
And with Chapman closing. They may very well just do that!!!

[The Blue Blur]

He is a great closer, but with the amount of money the reds are paying him, he should get the chance to see if he can be a starter. If you could get 150-180 inning out of him this year that could very well be 14-17 wins.
When the reds signed him it was to be a starter wasn't it?? Lets start him if it works out then he could very well be the ace on this team if by mid June its not working then move him back to the pen.. But you have to take the chance that it will work. That why the reds spent all that money was for a great starter pitcher known as the Cuban Missile!!!

They paid him all that money to throw 100+ mph fastballs, & do it consistently. It doesn't matter starter, middle reliever, setup guy or closer, they want him to throw, throw accurate & throw hard, that's why he's getting the big $$$. He's gotten his chance, & it's obvious the team doesn't want him to start, he doesn't want to start & both have come to terms he's the closer. The greatest closer of all-time, came to the big leagues as a starter but after a lack of success he became a relief pitcher. Got starter $ & made things legendary with World Series victories. No one in New York is complaining. I think we got much of the same potential