Reds Exercise Option on Bronson Arroyo, Cut Ties With Aaron Harang

by Josh Alper

Filed under: Reds, NL Central, MLB Free Agency

The Reds have started work on their 2011 roster by settling some outstanding issues in their starting rotation.

The team decided to exercise their $11.5 million option on right-hander Bronson Arroyo, but declined to pick up the $12.75 million commitment to Aaron Harang. Harang will get a $2 million buyout and hit the open market as a free agent.

Picking up Arroyo's option is a sign of how far the Reds came this season. Unless you're a contender, $11.5 million is a lot to spend on a pitcher whose greatest virtue is the ability to devour more than 200 innings a season.

That doesn't mean he's not a good pitcher. Arroyo has remained surprisingly effective despite a plummeting strikeout rate, but he's not good enough for that kind of investment on a small-market club unless you think you can contend. After 2010, the Reds have every reason to think they can and that made their decision easy.

 

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