Aroldis Chapman Makes Sense in Cincinnati Reds Starting Rotation

According to Cincinnati.com, the Cincinnati Reds sent Jeff Francis to Triple-A Louisville this morning, essentially solidifying that 24-year-old lefty Aroldis Chapman will be at the tail end of the Reds' 2012 rotation.

Finally, some clarity.

For two long years, the $30 million Cuban sensation has bounced around the organization, spending time as both a Triple-A starter and big league setup man.

Now, though, just three days before Opening Day, it appears he has finally landed a steady major league gig.

While the move has yet to be formally confirmed, starting Chapman would make sense on multiple levels, given the current state of the Cincinnati pitching staff.

First and foremost, Chapman would diversify the rotation.

While Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Bronson Arroyo are all solid MLB starters, they are also all right-handed pitchers. Chapman's powerful lefty delivery likely got him the nod over righty prospect Homer Bailey, and it could provide a much-needed change of pace.

Secondly, the move would protect the club's investment in Chapman.

Rather than pay him millions to start in the minors or eventually wear out his arm in the bullpen, the Reds can now better monitor Chapman's innings and slowly groom him into a dominant MLB starter.

After all, in the midst of debate, we tend to forget that Chapman is still one of the most talented prospects in all of baseball.