The Reds have about 64 players in camp. A whole lot of bodies for a 25 man roster. Of course, many are young kids who will be assigned to their minor league teams and are players of the future. Lets first take a look at the pitching staff. The norm is 12-13 pitchers. Cueto, Bailey, Leake, Chapman are locks. LeCure and Badenhop are pretty safe bets. That leaves 8 spots open with as many as 18 candidates. Two spots will go to the starting rotation and the rest to the bullpen.
Let me digress for a minute about the term "bullpen" The origins of the term are highly debated. Most concede the term can into use around the late 1800"s. Since the configuration of the bullpen is like a pen
many see the term originating from there. In older ballparks the bullpen was commonly near a Bull Durham sign.
Maybe the term came from there. Casey Stengel once said the term came because the relief pitchers were always "shooting the bull". Whatever the origin of the term the Reds are out to fix one of the worse bullpens in MLB. This is where the term "YOUNG GUNS" comes in.
I figure the Reds have as many as 15 possibilities for the last 5 spots for relief pitchers. This is easily the most competition on the team. The pressure is on and it will be very interesting as spring training unfolds. This picture is further clouded by the starting rotation. Barring injuries Cueto and Leake are two starting pitchers. Bailey will not start until at least mid April so 3 more starters are needed. Some of the relievers are being looked at as starters. Then there are two older gunslingers fighting for a role.
Jason Marquis and Paul Maholm have experience and Marquis has already stated it is his job to lose. It looks to be a classic western shootout in Goodyear, Arizona for spots on this year's pitching staff.
The one comfort in all of this competition is the the "fastest gun in the west" is there to close out the game. High
Noon is Aroldis Chapman time.
YIB-G
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