The Front Row

Do any of you guys have a wallpaper with the Reds Schedule?

Tell that to Randy Johnson. Like you said, he's got a smooth delivery--effortless--hopefully less wear and tear. He's got the fastball-slider combo but needs to do more work on the changeup. He's got this year to work on it. I just look at what's on the team and what the team needs. We need a front end SP unless Cueto or Volquez can become that--and I don't mean good; I mean great. Massett has the makings of a quality closer. Is he perfect? No, but I only need one hand to name the "great" closers in baseball. He's downright nasty most of the time.

I could also point out Nolan Ryan, but the truth is that 100+ MPH starting pitchers typically don't last long. Could he turn out to be another Johnson or Ryan, sure, but the odds are against it, whereas if he were coming out of the bullpen, he would have a much better chance to give us years of dominance. And the good point that someone else made, by about the third time through the order, people will have adjusted to his speed and if you make good contact with a 103MPH fastball, it's gone. He could also be a 2 inning closer in many instances which would be outstanding!

Besides, if he does succeed as the ace starter and is able to deliver 200+ innings and not get hurt, he'll be playing for the Yankees in a few years so I'll end up hating him.

By keeping him in the bullpen, you have a dominant closer, increase the chance that he'll have a long career, and increase the chance that the Reds can afford to pay him.

Either way, it's a good problem to have.

And Steve, glad you realized your mistake on the Skyline/Gold Star debate...