Loading ...Probably not this season, but this is the question that Ken Rosenthal explores on the Fox web site.
Verlander made an enormous impact last season, earning 17 wins, helping the Tigers to the World Series and winning American League Rookie of the Year.
It’s unrealistic to place similar expectations on two of the game’s top pitching prospects, Yankees right-hander Philip Hughes and Reds righty Homer Bailey — even though, like Verlander, they were first-round picks in 2004.
The article is an interesting read, and be sure to check out the chart of pitchers drafted in the first round in 2004. What a great crop of arms that was.
You’ll also find another Red on the chart, Bill Bray. How great would it be if Bray, or even Todd Coffey, stepped it up this season and took hold of that closers role?
My guess is that while Narron and Krivsky pay lip service to Weathers and Stanton sharing closer roles, secretly the Reds are expectant that Coffey and Bray will emerge into a Myers-Dibble tandem to finish off games.
A storyline to watch in spring training.
That would be an ideal situation for the Reds if Coffey/Bray take over closer by mid-season. That would make the likes of Weathers, Cormier, and Stanton valuable trade chips for other contenders at the trade deadline.
Kudos to Krivsky for inking Harang long-term!
If Coffey/Bray do step up it would take pressure off trying to bring back Everyday too early. I still think Big K is trying to work out something for Hermanson. They could change the thinking.