Cincinnati Reds: Is Aroldis Chapman Truly a Starter?

The Cincinnati Reds have a problem. A good problem. The Reds find themselves in a position of potentially having too many starters. Aroldis Chapman is a person the club thinks can be a starter, but does he really need to be in 2012?

After the well-publicized acquisition of former Padre Mat Latos, the Reds are deep with starters. Latos joins Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Homer Bailey and potentially Travis Wood.

So why risk injury to Chapman?

According to John Fay, general manager Walt Jocketty is moving forward with molding Chapman into a starting pitcher. This is even after Chapman was injured and unable to participate in most of winter ball with left shoulder inflammation.

It is true that Chapman was a starter in Cuba before defecting, and he was also a starter at the beginning of his minor league career. However, to even break into the majors Chapman had to switch to a reliever role last year.

Last season Chapman was effective out of the bullpen. The “Cuban Missile” was 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 54 appearances. This type of effectiveness is hard to find in relievers. It’s is especially hard to find a reliever that can throw over 100 MPH with relative ease.

Chapman also missed a month of action last year with shoulder inflammation. It seems odd to risk such a talent when the Reds already appear to have great depth at the starter position.

Maybe the Reds feel as if they need to get what they paid for? Chapman signed a six-year contract worth $30 million in January of 2010.

The other starters in the rotation more than likely have reserved their respective spots. Cueto is coming off an unbelievable season, and Latos owns his spot. Leake is a great talent if he can stay healthy, and if Bailey can perform up to his ability, he is just as good.

The other two are harder to figure out. Arroyo is coming off of a horrendous year, but Dusty Baker loves to play his veterans, no matter how bad they are playing. It could also be another case of the Reds wanting to get the most out of a big contract. Meanwhile, Wood is a good talent that still needs some work.

So once again, why risk Chapman? The Reds have a solid five-man rotation, with a solid sixth man. Chapman’s high velocity and iffy mechanics leave him susceptible to injury. Making Chapman a starter will fatigue his arm faster and more frequently—which also leaves him very susceptible to injury.

Jocketty claims the Reds aren’t done making trades for pitchers. Hopefully this means the Reds stop trying to make Chapman something he’s not. Chapman is much more effective from the bullpen, and it will keep him healthy.

Remember, the Reds could really use a closer too.