Aroldis Chapman: Reds' Broxton Interest Signals Move To Rotation

Update: With the Reds in "serious talks" with free agent Jonathan Broxton on a three-year contract, it could signal that the team is preparing to move Chapman to the rotation next season, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

Recommendation: While the Reds haven't officially said they would intend to use Broxton as a closer rather than bringing him back in a middle relief role, their interest in free agents Ryan Madson and Joakim Soria, both former closers, would seem to indicate they view Broxton as a ninth-inning candidate. Chapman and his 15.3 K/9 IP rate obviously make him a more ideal closing option than Broxton, but any value Chapman would have in the bullpen could be better optimized in the rotation, where we would likely throw at least 100 more innings for the team. While it would be unfair to expect him to replicate his 1.51 ERA and 0.81 WHIP while pitching multiple innings per outing, he would seem on the surface to be a vast upgrade over fifth starter Mike Leake, and possibly even Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey.