ASHLAND — How long does it take to go from routinely blowing away hitters to regularly blowing games? It’s a shorter trip than one might think.

No need to MapQuest it. Look no further than Aroldis Chapman.

It’s been no vacation for the Reds reliever of late — I’m not ready to call him a closer yet — but Cincinnati won’t be rushing to send him packing.

The only thing manager Dusty Baker and company hurried was the decision to solidify him as the go-to guy in the ninth.

“The Cuban Missile” isn’t quite ready to launch yet. The “ready” is still missing, but he has added the “aim” to his “fire” this season. So, he is progressing.

All he needs is a little fine-tuning.

Major league hitters can drill fastballs all day, especially since Chapman typically doesn’t rev it up to consistent triple digits until a few batters in.

The Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera and the Twins’ Josh Willingham rocketed game-winning blasts off the lefty in the past week, which should prompt the Reds to revertto the closer-by-committee situation they used oh so temporarily before chalking Chapman up as their closer.

Teams often get too wrapped up in the idea of a closer, but it takes a special breed of pitcher to thrive in a pressure-packed situation nearly every time out.

Not saying Chapman isn’t one of the mold — he may be — but the Reds must choose whether he is a closer or a starter, and go with it. Work with him with specific goals in mind.

If the Reds retain Chapman in the back of the bullpen, let Sean Marshall and Logan Ondrusek have their closing chances too.

Chapman needs time to harness his slider for it to become the devastating pitch that it has the potential of being.

Closing the book on that issue, the Reds have one or two more.



‘Latos intolerant’ dilemma

The Reds need a solid No. 2 starter behind Johnny Cueto. Supposed No. 2 Mat Latos (5.20 ERA) prompted The Independent editor Mark Maynard to declare he’s “becoming Latos intolerant” as the big right-hander threw batting practice to the Indians last week.

Come to find out, the clever no-milk reference turned into a six degrees of Kevin Bacon game.

Maynard got it from fellow churchgoer Randy Hennecke, and Hennecke first heard it from Mark Renfroe, who played football at Boyd County and University of Kentucky.

While Latos, 24, could prove to be a long-term No. 2 pitcher, he’s not there yet. And he likely won’t settle into that form this year.

If the Reds can’t put a guy like Chris Heisey on the table (possibly along with Homer Bailey and a prospect) for a guy like the Marlins’ Anibal Sanchez (3.94 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 89 innings), then Bronson Arroyo would be the staff’s second-most reliable pitcher, in my opinion.



Lineup lacking ________

You fill in the blank.

I’d say — and I know I’m one of the few — nothing.

Sure, some will say an everyday left fielder — specifically, a right-handed power-hitting left fielder who can assume the clean-up spot and allow Brandon Phillips to slide up to the leadoff spot or two-hole.

Hey, how about this? Manny Ramirez, one of the greatest hitters of this era, is available! The 40-year-old was released by Oakland this month. According to my colleague Adam VanKirk, the dreads could prove to be a perfect fit in the puzzle.

However, I don’t see Manny wigs filling up Great American Ball Park concession stands or the poisonous “Manny being Manny” attitude permeating any Cincinnati dugout any time soon. I don’t think there’s enough desperation for a fizzling slugger who is one steroid strike away from a permanent ban from baseball.

The Reds can ride out what they have right now, and the direction they go hinges on the health of third baseman Scott Rolen.

If Rolen goes down to injury, Todd Frazier is the everyday third baseman.

If Rolen stays healthy, Frazier can play left field and Chris Heisey center.

Keep Zack Cozart at the top of the order, and Phillips fourth.

What about Drew Stubbs and Ryan Ludwick?

Use Stubbs as a bench player. He can play center when Rolen needs a day off, and he could be the most valuable pinch runner in the league. If he’s unhappy with the role and it’s affecting team chemistry, trade him. He’s got value — after all, he hit 15 homers and stole 40 bases last season.

As for Ludwick, he can still play left when needed, and he should get double-figure at-bats a week. He can still produce, but he can also look terrible at times.

The bottom line, to me, is that Frazier and Heisey need legitimate chances to prove they can effectively play every day. Their effort seems to be infectious.



Tweet for trades

On Saturday night, I opened up the Twitter-gates, and a few followers chimed in with suggestions for Reds GM Walt Jocketty and friends.

Here are some that stood out:

-@redsfan629: “possible trade reds move drew stubbs and (Homer) bailey plus minor league guys for Josh willingham of twins”

-@angelahbentley: “Reds need another solid starter. Too much inconsistency other than Cueto. Best trade bait is Chris Heisey.”

-@seanhutchison41: “get a left handed power hitter to come off the bench maybe a better backup middle infielder”

-@preacherfig: “Trade Rolen for a rosin bag and new A2000, let Frazier play 3rd everyday. Gonna need a true closer as well.”

-@pfraley1966: “trade Dusty Baker for Terry Francona. They need a left handed bat off the bench.”

OK, we got carried away. Surely, ESPN won’t go for the Baker for Francona trade, will they?

AARON SNYDER can be reached at

asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.