Cincinnati Reds - A Slow Leake is Fine; a Chapman Flood Can Wait

Like most Reds diehards, I'm treading lightly on praise right now, but it is soooooo hard to hide the enthusiasm. Oh, and this from the Enquirer today on twitter: @Cincienquirer Aroldis Chapman will make his debut in Louisville Friday. Tickets are, predictably, going fast: http://bit.ly/csEHc0

To tell you the truth, I do not think Cincinnati needs to have Chapman test the big leagues, along with Mike Leake (if it comes to that), anytime soon. Sure Chapman is unproven and such matters have not been discussed (that will be based on his performance in Louisville in the coming weeks), but I believe Chapman needs more than his share of seasoning down on the farm before anything else.

Leake, love ya buddy, but you need to continue upward development. And that does not mean we don't think you can do it.

Chapman could turn out to be star...great, WE WANT TO SEE THAT! But until things really start to unfold for the worse for the starters or bullpen, Aroldis should get to know and enjoy Louisville.

If A.C. goes nuts and the Reds have no other choice but to give him chance, I'm all for it, but Cincinnati (right now anyway) cannot go overboard on Chapman. You have chemistry right now; let’s allow them to mix the wrong concoction before we add the Chapman ingredient.

No rush my friends, I will take a slow Leake over a landslide of mistakes any day.