John Fay had an article up yesterday over at the Enquirer about Bryan Price and Walt Jocketty coming back for next season.While the article talks about those two remaining and roster changes coming, tucked away at the very bottom of the article is this:
The Reds are counting on Raisel Iglesias, who they signed to seven-year, $30 million contract in June, for bullpen help in 2015, although he may eventually be a starter.
I hope that is just Fay speculating rather than official word from a source because that would just be all kinds of confusing. When he was signed, the Cincinnati Reds stated that their plan was to use him as a starter. That was all of three months ago and he hasn’t yet pitched in a game (outside of perhaps instructional league). He was signed to a 7-year and $27M deal.
That is the kind of deal you expect to see a non-proven starting pitcher signed to. For $30M you can go out and get an elite level, proven reliever. Maybe it’s just for four or five years instead of seven. Still, if you need bullpen help you can go a long way with that kind of money on the free agent market.
Igelesias has never really been a starter, spending his time in the bullpen in Cuba and internationally for the Cuban National Team. That means that he would need to build up innings on his arm to be a starting pitcher. While his age and experience he doesn’t need to be coddled, but it’s probably not the safest plan to send him out for 180 innings right out of the gate either.
If the Reds plan is to use him in the bullpen in 2015 then maybe look at him as a starter down the road I just can’t see it happening. In 2016 the team will likely need to add several new starters and could need up to four starters if all of the free agents leave after next season. Iglesias in the bullpen for 2015 means he’s probably not going to be ready to be a starter for all of the 2016 season.
It seems like a very short sighted move if this is indeed the Reds plan. It would also make the signing look quite a bit strange if they never actually try him out as a starter given the amount of money they will have paid for an unproven reliever.