One of the best signings of the season was the Reds signing closer Ryan Madson to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Well, it was one of the best signings of the offseason.Madson will need Tommy John surgery, missing the season, general manager Walt Jocketty confirmed to CBSSports.com.
"We can sit here and try to rehab, but it never works," Jocketty told reporters (via MLB.com). "The best thing is to shut it down, get the surgery and move forward. It's obviously not great news. But we told the team and said to stay positive. We have good alternatives we can turn to. Other clubs have done it in the past. We did it in St. Louis, when [Jason Isringhausen] went down, [Adam] Wainwright stepped in and we won the World Series."
The team also traded for left-handed set-up man Sean Marshall this offseason. Marshall had five saves last season for the Cubs. The team also has lefty Aroldis Chapman, who had been battling for a rotation spot.
When asked Saturday if Chapman may be moved back to the bullpen, Jocketty said, "Maybe," according to MLB.com.
Madson and the Reds have an option for $11 million in 2013 with a $2.5 million buyout. According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, the team didn't have an insurance policy on Madson's deal.
