2016 MLB thread. THE CUBS HAVE BROKEN THE CURSE! Chicago Cubs are your 2016 World Series champions

[wildkycat]

Dusty always wanted him to close. Chapman wanted to start last season. He wants to close now. I guess he changed his mind after the year he had

 

[wildkycat]

Pro, I read that "Chapman told the media he wanted to close thru his translator, Dusty Baker." Lol

 

[proshares]

I had heard that too. I think this was the article I was reading this weekend.

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.


Chapman's 2012 K's Ratio Historic
Aroldis Chapman may have the right idea. The hard-throwing lefty ranked among the top-five all-time in strikouts per nine innings last year among relievers with 60 or more games in a season:

Craig Kimbrel, ATL 2012 16.66
Carlos Marmol, CHC 2010 15.99
A. Chapman, CIN 2012 15.32
Eric Gagne, LAD 2003 14.98
Billy Wagner, HOU 1999 14.95
-- Source: Baseball-Reference.com

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.


Olney: MLB's Biggest Questions
Buster Olney examines six issues for the upcoming MLB season, including whether Aroldis Chapman should be the Cincinnati Reds' closer. Blog

"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.

n.

 

[rawex5]

Is there a 2013 prediction thread out?

 

[abovelegit1]

This is honestly the right move. The guy throws 98-102 consistently...he should get 40+ saves easily

Fair enough if he requested the move, but even if he was an above average starter he'd provide more value than he will as a closer, so I don't know if it's necessarily the right move. He'd be a lot better than Leake, anyway - gives up too many homeruns in that ballpark.

 

[kevin cleveland]

but even if he was an above average starter he'd provide more value than he will as a closer, so I don't know if it's necessarily the right move.

Agreed.

 

[wildkycat]

They said Yu threw this same curve and completely buckled Votto on the previous pitch, prompting the crowd to "oooohhh"...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=cin&content_id=25825925&partnerId=as_mlb_20130323_6604484

 

[wildkycat]

Safe to say the power is back.

 

[stillin729]

It pains me to see but I think Doc is done

I hate to see someone as like able and machine like as Roy Halladay just hit that wall, he was invincible for so long

 

[dland24]

I dunno, I still have faith that Halladay can rebound. He was never a real power pitcher anyway, in spite of all of his Ks. We'll see.

 

[stillin729]

I dunno, I still have faith that Halladay can rebound. He was never a real power pitcher anyway, in spite of all of his Ks. We'll see.

I dunno I've watched these games and he looks terrible out there but then again he's our third pitcher now so if Hamels and Lee do their job, you only need a 12 wins or so out of Doc

He's one of my all time favs so I hope he can work out the kinks, this is how Steve Carlton was when he just lost a step

 

[jordanhead2]

Is there a reason why some teams wear their game jerseys for ST games?

 

[madj55]

Bryce Harper with two steals on the day, hitting over .400 on the spring

 

[mr marcus]

Bryce Harper with two steals on the day, hitting over .400 on the spring

pretty sure ima hit a Nationals game when they play the dodgers in July

 

[03silverbullet]

They said Yu threw this same curve and completely buckled Votto on the previous pitch, prompting the crowd to "oooohhh"...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=cin&content_id=25825925&partnerId=as_mlb_20130323_6604484

that celebration.......douche move.

 

[JCMojica24]

Vernon Wells to the Yankees

 

[mr marcus]

yankees still gonna suck this year

 

[denni5themenace]

why do teams keep trading for vernon wells

 

[osh kosh bosh]

I thought only the god Anthopolos could do that.

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

How does he keep getting traded with that contract

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

When the other team eats a huge chunk of the contract, it becomes a bit more u understandable.

The contract is terrible in the first place, no doubt. But that's the Angels for you.

 

[Hahahaha]

Angels have to eat a good portion of that contract.

Just hope he can stay healthy, if not...oh ******g well

 

[wildkycat]

that celebration.......douche move.

did you not read? did you not see Yu smiling? it's spring training... having fun with the fans.

 

[mr jordan04]

Angels paid 29 of the 42 million owed to him??

 

[lovehateself]

Angels gambled with that wells deal but that's the risk you take with players with inflated salaries. They saved what they could. I think they're still eating some of Kasmirs money. But the team is moving ahead and they are making money ( which is going back into the club) and that's what you need to do to stay competitive not just on the field but also with their marketability. The whole LA thing is still a joke but it got them more fans, which a team with stars will get no matter how they perform.