The Reds’ indecision over Aroldis Chapman’s role has cost $46 million of ownership’s money. That’s how much they’ve spent from 2012 to 2015 to avoid making Aroldis Chapman a bullpen pitcher.
$21 million (Broxton extension) + $16.5 million (Marshall extension) + $8.5 million (Madson contract) = $46 million
If the Reds would have simply decided a couple years ago to make Chapman their closer, none of these contracts would have been signed.
Even if some of that would have gone to set-up relievers, that would still leave a large amount of cash to spend on other priorities. That’s a huge and costly price to pace for indecision.