Comic Relief

Funny? Maybe. Disgraceful? Certainly. Improved? Quite possibly. The Reds 2007 bullpen was at times as comfortable to watch as some blind guy pulling your teeth with rusty pliers. But fear not, Aaron Harang could get those 20 victories he deserves in 2008 if a few simple moves are made. Although the pen was the worst part about 2007 it will be easier to fix than the starting rotation. First Jared Burton should be the closer from day one. David Weathers has done a valiant job the last couple years, but he would be the first to tell you he's not a closer. Burton has the stuff to be a closer and it's time to see if he has the mindset. Second only put Todd Coffey in a game with runners on; a lot of pitchers can't work with that kind of pressure, Coffey can't work without it. Third, cut Mike Stanton. Fourth go after a guy like, or specifically, David Riske. While appearing in a whooping 65 games in 2007 with the lowly Royals, Riske posted a 2.45 era. A 3-year, $10 million dollar* contract would be expensive, but affordable. *May have to pay more....I would. Finally, Reds fans should pray that Gary Majewski is the pitcher they traded for and not a physical and mental train wreck. A bullpen consisting of Bill Bray and Jon Coutlangus from the left side and Stormy, Riske, Majewski, Coffey, and Burton from the right side would not only be better than last year, but could become one of the best in the bigs.