Jonathan Broxton's return means Aroldis Chapman can start for the Reds. (US Presswire)

It looks like Aroldis Chapman might be headed to the Reds' rotation, as the team is in "serious talks" with right-hander Jonathan Broxton, CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman confirms.

According to Heyman, the deal is expected to be at least three years.

Broxton, 28, finished the season with the Reds after a deadline deal with Kansas City, going 3-3 with a 2.82 ERA and four saves in 25 appearances for the Reds. Cincinnati general manager Walt Jocketty has said the team would like to put Chapman in the rotation, but only if they can find a closer. Broxton has 111 career saves and 27 last season between the Reds and Royals, meaning the team could move Chapman from the bullpen to the rotation.

Chapman, 24, went into last spring training as a starter, but an injury to Ryan Madson caused the team to move the left-hander to the bullpen. Chapman made four starts in spring, going 2-0 with 2.12 ERA in 17 innings with 18 strikeouts and just two walks. The team used him as a starter in 2010 as well, but after faltering some in Triple-A, he came up as a reliever, a role he's served since. But only in 2012 did he go to the back of the bullpen, wracking up 38 saves and going 5-5 overall with a 1.51 ERA and 0.809 WHIP, while striking out 122 batters in 71 2/3 innings.

Broxton served mostly as a set-up man after being acquired for minor-league pitchers Donnie Joseph and J.C. Sulbaran. A two-time All-Star, Broxton had his best season in 2009 when he had 36 saves and a 2.61 ERA for the Dodgers. Since then he's struggled with elbow and shoulder issues, seeing his average fastball velocity go from 97.5 mph in 2009 to 94.8 in 2012. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Royals last November.

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