Cincinnati Reds should take another look at Bronson Arroyo

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t been the same since Bronson Arroyo left.

The Cincinnati Reds have been looking for relief help everywhere, but maybe they should look to add an emergency number five starter first.  Former Red Bronson Arroyo has been quietly trying to make a return to the big leagues all year.

He pitched in two games for the Gulf Coast Nationals in rookie ball.  They are affiliated with the Nationals.  His elbow didn’t respond well after pitching, so he was shutdown.

Now he has all winter to get back in shape to try out with an MLB team.  Arroyo has been a member of the Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Boston Reds Sox, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals.  He last pitched in the big leagues for the Diamondbacks in 2014.

When Arroyo pitched for the Red Sox and the Reds, he sang on the side.  His band’s version of Slide was epic and so was their version of Over My Head.  Over My Head didn’t make his album, “Covering the Bases,” but the album did include both Shimmer and Plush.  Having been mostly injured since he stopped rocking out makes one wonder if he should go back.

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Maybe he should go back to the Cincinnati Reds, too.  He pitched for Cincinnati for eight years from 2006 through 2013.  Arroyo went 105-94, while starting at least 32 games every season.  He didn’t miss a start in his eight years in Cincinnati.

He was best when he was in Cincinnati.

With every other team combined he is 40-37, having only broken the 30 start level his last year in Boston before he came to the Reds.  He also only failed once to pitch at least 200 innings in his first go around with the Reds.

Right now the Reds are looking for a number five starter to go with the foursome of Anthony DeSclafani, Dan Straily, Brandon Finnegan, and Robert Stephenson.  Homer Bailey is the plan, but so far he is a disappointment.

Arroyo was an consistent as consistent could be.  With him on-board as an insurance policy, the Reds could continue to move forward with Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen as relievers.  In the second half of the year that has worked out very well.  Not only that, but the combination of Arroyo, Bailey and Tim Adleman for the number five spot would be better than most teams in the National League.

Next: Homer Bailey needs to get healthy for the Reds

Whether or not Arroyo returns to pitch, his knowledge is a valuable asset.  He helped to  transition the Reds from also-rans to contenders last time he was here.  This might be his last chance to contend for a spot in any rotation.