I hate to start yet ANOTHER thread on this topic, but I've been doing a little thinking outside the box on this problem and wanted to see what everyone thought of this idea. Basically my feeling is that Chapman has certainly pitched well enough to earn a rotation spot, and Bailey really has not done enough damage to lose a rotation spot. So WHAT IF:

Every fifth day, Bailey pitches five innings (1-5) and Chapman pitches four innings (6-9) and the next turn, Chapman pitches 1-5 and Bailey 6-9? Neither would pitch in relief at ANY other time in ANY other game. They basically would be co-5th starters.

The benefits:

- Chapman earns a spot; Bailey does not lose his spot.

- Each can prepare as a starter every five days. Only difference is one will be 'starting' his game in the top of the 6th

- This accomplishes the goal of limiting Chapman's innings and pitch count, and may reduce Bailey's tendency to injury

- Most importantly, if this works correctly, this RESTS the ENTIRE bullpen once every five days. This would be a huge help over the course of a season. Even in an extra inning game, the second pitcher would only have thrown four innings and could easily go 1 or 2 more, and if we do go longer than 11, we would still use the bullpen less than in a normal extra inning game.

- From a team standpoint, this could help comraderie. Chapman and Bailey would be cooperating as teammates, not fighting as enemies. However, it could also be used as an extended audition or even a showcase for a trade. And if one very clearly outpitches the other in the same role, we can go back to a traditional 5-man setup for a valid reason, not just on a hunch.

The downside:

- This basically negates the role of a long man/spot starter, but I think that's negligible. If Bailey can only go 3, Chapman can pitch the other 6. If Arroyo gets bombed in the 2nd inning, I'm OK with Francis or Lecure picking up the garbage innings. Better that role than pitching in Louisville.

- Even with clearly-defined roles, Dusty STILL might not use them correctly. I would fear that he'd want to play the stupid lefty/righty matchup game in the 6th inning just to show he's in control of the game, which would be to the detriment of the entire team. But hey, he's Dusty.

I'd welcome any thoughts. I know this wouldn't be what management would do and it may not be realistic, but COULD it work in the right situation? And why wouldn't we be willing to at least give it a try?

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Chapman is the third best pitcher the Reds have. He is the only lefty in the rotation. The fifth spot in the rotation should be between Arroyo, Leake, and Bailey.

Much like this whole tragedy in Florida, we don't know what kind of SP Chapman will be. He's pitched EIGHTEEN innings! And has yet to go into a 6th inning. Right now Bailey is 5a and Chapman 5b. We need a bigger sample. Putting him ahead of Leake and Arroyo is daft.

As far as splitting the 5th SP slot, it's worth thinking about. Never gonna happen, but I like thinking outside the box. I said before ST that Bailey/Chapman would be the "two headed starter". That neither could go a full season. This plan might allow them both to pitch the entire season and be available for post season. The downside being taking up an extra roster spot for 5 months. But would we need Frances to be up here in this scenario with Bailey ready to step in?

I mean you could accomplish the same thing unofficially. Chapman's pitch count is too high. If that stays a problem Baker could start warming up Bailey in the 5th inning and let him pitch the last 3+ innings. The bullpen could take a much needed day off. I kind of like it.

Any historians out there? Some team must have tried this sometime. I know most experiments with 6 SP don't usually pan out.

Much like this whole tragedy in Florida, we don't know what kind of SP Chapman will be.

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How is choosing a 5th starter ANYTHING like the senseless murder of a minor? That's a bit of a reach for such a smart guy like you.....

Technically, it isn't murder until a court says it's murder. That whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing gets in the way of a good anti-hispanic hate-fest at times, huh?

My confidence in the legal system has been shaken at times...OJ, Casey Anthony, etc...but it's still the best and fairest in the world. We have to hope this hispanic man gets a fair trial and, if PROVEN guilty, an appropriate penalty.

So let me get this straight ... We're commiting 2 roster spots to do the work of one player?
Also, you wrote: "if this works correctly, this RESTS the ENTIRE bullpen once every five days." That's a mighty big "if." Besides, how many games in a season last year did the Reds only use 2 pitchers? Situational lefties, closers almost always appear in close games.

While I applaud thinking outside the box, this won't work.

This is the most controversial topic on the board/for the organization, but what it simply boils down to is "where will Chapman help this team most?"That's really answered by whether or not Marshall and company can close effectively. Even if AC is lights out as the 5th starter, if the pen is blowing 2 saves a week, AC may prove more beneficial in relief.

The other decision making this simple is: Walt always intended for AC to start. He's worked toward that goal this spring and earned the spot. You don't jerk a guy off like that unless you're 100 percent sure that he needs to moved to the pen for the Reds to be better off.

Bailey also made this decision easy. He stunk this spring when he should've been pitching for his life. Time to sever ties with Homer unless he can learn to relieve.

Actually ... One final thought: AC has proven he is a bit erratic as a reliever. Isn't it time we see if he can be more consistent as a starter?

Because of the left wing media convicting Zimmerman before the facts, Riot might well ensue. Aided by Jackson and Sharpton. Such a shame

This is simply a creative way to utilize the players you have and help the team at the same time. Conventional wisdom says yes, you use five starters and have seven relievers for assigned innings. That's fine but what's wrong with trying to innovate a little?

Think of it this way - we could use the two in these roles as an extended trial or a trade showcase. What better way to do that than by having them pitch back to back against the same lineup, same park, same conditions, etc? Let them pitch this way for 5-6 starts and we'll have a much clearer picture on who should have which role. I love Chapman's potential and think he is definitely better suited to be the #5, and Chapman is much more comfortable starting, but I'm still not ready to give up on Homer.

And to the other posts - can we please focus on baseball and not politics? As important an issue as the Martin case is, it deserves its own OT thread.

I proposed sharing starts a couple weeks ago, but not Bailey/Chapman. A better split is Leake/Chapman. Their styles contrast more.

Maybe we could try it with both Leake and Bailey at some point in the season. We have six starters, most of whom are on innings limits.

It's a very interesting thought, and it might work. It also would cut down on the number of innings pitched by each, and keep both fresh throughout the year. If one of them is pitching lights out for the first 4-5 innings, however, it might be very difficult to take him out.

redsfan64 *.... I have ALWAYS loved this philosophy. I personally think it would be a GREAT idea. My friends always thought I was crazy for the idea I had about my "3 groups of starting pitchers". Example: Group # 1 --name (The young guns) Chapman pitches 2 and 2 thirds of an inning, followed by Baily's 2 and 2 thirds of an inning, then comes Leake, for his 2 and 2 thirds of an inning. that a total of 8 innings totalled by three starters. Use your combo of your two best closers who ready for that day to pitch the ninth. That was Group 1...... Now, lets go to Group # 2- called ( The STUDS) Cueto pitches 2 and 2 thirds innings, then Latos( same innings as Cueto, followed by Lecure(same 2 and 2 thirds innings. Final Group is GROUP #3 called (The OLD TIMERS), Arroyo for 2 and 2 thirds of an inning, Fransis is next(same innings) and finally,since Marshal is the "OLDEST" of the remaining closers that will be used for 9th inning duties, he will cover the last 2 and 2 thirds of an inning. Again-- that's a total of 8 innings by "three starters." Every 4th day, Group # 1 starts again,and so on.
Before you laugh at this one, keep in mind that the opposing team will see the starting pitcher's stuff "ONLY" one time around. All the pitchers can go all out for just 2 and 2 thirds of an inning, get some rest and "STILL" be sharp as a pistol because there part of "ONLY THREE GROUPS". By the way, your three alternating closers are Ondrusek,Arrendondo and Bray.
Forget about MONEY BALL. This is called "JOHNNIE BALL" , as in JOHN LUCIA from Little Falls N.J.
And "YES", I already have a Patten(spelling-?) on it.
Keep in mind, that when Baker tries to put Chapman back in the bullpen, I'm applying to manage this club.
ENJOY