More Thoughts on Madson

So, it’s been a day to think over things in regards to the bad news the Reds received yesterday. You remember (or don’t want to), Ryan Madson will need Tommy John surgery and, thus, his 2012 is over before it had a chance to start. So could be his days as a Red, and that’s a harsh reality of baseball’s business.

References made to Twitter and tweets are bountiful here on BRM. All of us are on there. We see all the ramblings, good or bad. In reading some of the tweets from the past 24 hours, there are some thoughts that make you think about the whole situation.

1. Signing Madson was a waste of money.

I completely disagree with this notion. Sure, I said that the $8.5 million is gone and cannot be recovered, but it wasn’t wasted. It’s a risk you take in signing any player to any contract regardless of the money involved. Injuries are going to happen. Play with the hand you’re dealt.

That $8.5 million is a lofty total considering the Reds payroll situation (as we hear all the time, even from here), but injuries can befall any player at any given time.

Call it dumb luck. Bad, dumb luck.

2. The Phillies knew of Madson’s arm issues and that’s the real reason they didn’t re-sign him.

It’s a conspiracy theory in my ever-so-humble opinion. The injury is a new injury. It might or might not be a result of previous issues Madson has experienced. When Madson was initially shutdown this spring, he stated that the discomfort he originally felt due to elbow irritation has happened “the past couple of years.”

That statement would lead you to believe there was potentially some funny business in Philly plus Madson was on the disabled list last season (mid-June to mid-July). Surely an exam and/or physical would have revealed the beginnings of a tear.

See how I flipped that. I believe the proper phrase is “due diligence”.

3. Dusty ruined another arm.

Okay. Not all were literal. I know a couple that were done tongue-in-cheek, but there was a couple that could have been taken as legit. Plus, since the injury is a new one, this could honestly hold water. Just not sure I buy into it though.

You cannot deny the misfortunes that befell Mark Prior and Kerry Wood (sorry Cubs fans), but I believe that these events are not related. Well, realistically, there aren’t, but I think you know where I’m going here. Madson has not pitched a single inning in a game for Baker while Prior and Wood amassed many, many innings while the trio was in Chicago.

Surely the lesson has been learned. Seems like it was because it’s easy to say that Baker shut down Mike Leake in 2010. Some will point to the fact that Leake was shut down due to an injury, but instead of putting Leake in harm’s way, the season was cut short.

The Reds are far from the only team to have pitchers suffering from injuries (discounting the freaky ones like to A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain).

4. The Reds should have kept Coco.

I actually saw this one, then proceeded to laugh. It’s not that I wasn’t a Francisco Cordero fan (I was), but the amount of negative comments and tweets Coco garnered each and every outing may have only be topped by those aimed at Edinson Volquez. Some of those that are now lamenting Cordero’s exit were possibly those that couldn’t wait for his departure.

I’ll add that if the Reds had kept Cordero, your Twitter timeline, the column you have denoted with the hashtag “#Reds”, would have lit up like a Christmas tree with comments bashing the signing.

And think about this. You would not have given Coco the money you gave Madson. Might have for two years at that $8.5 million tag, but not for one.

5. The road for the Reds just got tougher.

Depends on how much value you place on the closer’s position. Many believe that the position of “closer” is vastly overrated.

The Reds will still be a team to watch for the 2012 season. Don’t let this setback grab a hold of you.

I know the players won’t.

6. Aroldis Chapman will be moved to the bullpen now.

Not so fast, not so fast. It’s a move that’s possible, although I would not be completely taken off guard should it happen, but what do you think…

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