Nothing is official yet, but every indication is that the Reds will move Aroldis Chapman into the rotation after signing Jonathan Broxton to a three-year, $21 million deal to replace him as closer.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes as if it might as well be official, saying “this means Chapman’s going to start” and speculating that the 24-year-old left-hander will be allowed to throw around 180 innings after totaling 72 in 2012.
That’s a big jump, but it’s important to note that Chapman was initially viewed as a starter in the minors before shifting to the bullpen in preparation for his call-up in 2010. That year--which was his first in the United States after defecting from Cuba--he threw a total of 109 innings between Triple-A and the majors.
This year was a mixed bag for young pitchers moving from the bullpen to the rotation, as Chris Sale thrived, Daniel Bard struggled, and Neftali Feliz got injured, but seeing what Chapman can do in a 180-inning role before locking him into a 70-inning role for the rest of his career makes an awful lot of sense.
