Who closes in 2007

by novaoakland on Nov 13, 2006 6:14 PM CST

With Kerry Wood signing I think the bullpen "COULD" (yes that is a big COULD) be very strong.

At the same time the obviously closing candidates all have real weaknesses.

So my question is who closes in 2007?

Kerry Wood
Bobby Howry
Ryan Dempster

Does Pinella have a history of the comitte aproach as that seems the most likely result.

Poll

Who starts as closer in 2007?

FA sigining still to come

5 votes

Committee

6 votes

Other

3 votes

Kerry Wood

28 votes

Bobby Howry

22 votes

Ryan Dempster

29 votes

93 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

What about Michael Wuertz?

He's my choice.

I'm 100% confident Howry can o it. I would love Woody to do it.

However, Wuertz will be 28 in December and that seems to be the age when most closers really start to get it together. With recent rare exception (Steet, K-Rod, Putz), closer don't become dominant until this age.

I know he's had his problems recently, but even with all that, over 145 career innings, he still has a career ERA of 3.59, > 2:1 K:BB, 1.31 WHIP, > 9 K/9.

Anyway, I know he's certainly not the popular pick, but I don't know anyone who sits calmly when Dempster's on the mound, Wood won't be the closer this year and I'm afraid Bob-o's arm is going to fall off sometime in July next year (plus he'll be gone in two years (3?).

Anyway, that's my one comment.

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 13, 2006 6:20 PM CST reply actions

Thing about Wuertz

I could be wrong, but doesn't he have problems pitching on consecutive days?

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 13, 2006 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

That's what Al says.

But it wasn't true when he came back up.

First, yes, he did have a few times where he wasn't good. Here's the breakdown:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=5932

In September, he pitched back to back four times.
Two of those times were back to back to back. He pitched well in 2 out of those three times. (meaning he wasn't great all three times on 3 consecutive days) He gave up runs in only 1 of those 3 straight days.
In the other two times in September, he didn't give up any runs in the second game, getting 3 outs on 6 pitches one time.

In August, it's just as good, if not better. He gave up only 4 total runs in that month in 13.2 innings. Out of those 4 runs, 2 came in a game in which he hadn't pitched for three days. The other two, ironically enough for those who say he can't pitch consecutive days, were given up on the first of back-to-back days. He followed those up with 3 total innings of work (1.1 and 1.2) on 34 pitches and only 1 walk. (By the way, the first of those "back to backs" were in the double header against the D-backs on Aug. 3)

July is pretty much the same.

He was barely used in April and May, pitching back-to-back only once (but non-consecutive), but pitching two shutout innings the second day.

I have no idea where the idea that he can't pitch on back-to-back days comes from. I know Al said it somewhere (I think in one of his "end-of-the-year" round table discussions), but I simply don't see it. It may come from years past, but I think we all know we saw a different Michael Wuertz in August and September this year.

At the least, you have to say there wasn't enough evidence for this year to say one way or the other.

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 13, 2006 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

By the way, Perkins...

that long stats rebuttal was not some sort of attack on you. I had just heard that before and since I liked his "stuff", I wanted to see for myself. Since I was looking up the stats, I decided to share them. I wasn't trying to be argumentative as I certainly noticed that you preceded it with "I could be wrong, but..."

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 13, 2006 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

No worries

I always welcome a stats-based analysis to prove me wrong.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 13, 2006 7:08 PM CST up reply actions

I say Dempster*

*But I'll qualify that by saying that he should have it in Spring Training. If he's doing the same tightrope/pouring gasoline on the fire act he did this year, then give it to Howry. But if we get the 2005 and April 2006 Dempster, then that's a pretty sweet bullpen. Wood, much as I like the thought of him as a closer, shouldn't be counted on as such until he shows he can pitch consecutive days and go 4 times in a week.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 13, 2006 6:25 PM CST reply actions

Considering Wood has a clause

in his newly-signed contract paying him extra for "games finished", I would think that's a strong endorsement for Wood's audition.....

I think that Demp, Wood, Wuertz and Howry should all be in an open audition for the role in Spring Training, with Lou making his final decision before the first game of the season.

STEVE STONE!

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 13, 2006 6:27 PM CST reply actions

I would pick Howry

He's the most consistent reliever the Cubs have. I'd pick Woody, but we don't know how he is going to perform in a closers role, pitching in back to back days frequently.

Wuertz would also be a good choice.

by VS on Nov 13, 2006 6:34 PM CST reply actions

Just a guess.....

If Bobby Howry is healthy, I could see him being an option.....

No More Negativity! I am reborn!!!!!!

by timeforachange on Nov 13, 2006 6:51 PM CST reply actions

Just caught this....

I meant to say Keith Foulke. I hear the Red Sox are looking to move him. If he is healthy, I could see Hendry looking his way.......

No More Negativity! I am reborn!!!!!!

by timeforachange on Nov 14, 2006 7:44 AM CST up reply actions

Foulke...

... is a free agent. The Red Sox declined his option.

He might be worth a flyer.

by Al Yellon on Nov 14, 2006 7:59 AM CST up reply actions

Foulke?

I believe Foulke has a serious knee condition that required several injections last season.

by Mercury on Nov 14, 2006 8:12 AM CST up reply actions

After this year,

my first choice would be Howry, with a strong hope that Wood will emerge as the closer.

I will also add that I first read your screenname as "novoaoakland," and I got really really nervous.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 13, 2006 7:02 PM CST reply actions

LOL! ME TOO!

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 13, 2006 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

Me too...

and I totally missed Julie's post before I made mine below. Oh well. I'm slow.

by sparkles721 on Nov 13, 2006 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

I voted "committee," though

I tend to think it might arise from necessity rather than choice. I do think we'll start with Dempster and it'll evolve from there. As much as I am impressed with Howry, I clearly remember what happened the last time a set-up man was forced into the closer role ...

Coming Soon! Build-A-Bear Workshop's "Sweet Lou" Doll Giveaway!

by Littlerock Rynofan on Nov 13, 2006 7:04 PM CST reply actions

I would go with commitee..

until a hot hand emerges. Dempster to me just seems to be too wild. He is getting the closers money though right? I guess Howry got big dollars too. A little of subject, but did anyone see the comments in the Trib about Dick Pole going to Cincy as pitching coach? Apparently Maddux really liked him. I thought that was interesting..

The Wisconsin Badgers. The best 1 loss team in the country.

by wicubfan on Nov 13, 2006 7:24 PM CST reply actions

This is random...

but I thought your username said 'Novoa' at first. Then, I realized that no one would do that.

by sparkles721 on Nov 13, 2006 8:30 PM CST reply actions

Wood if healthy...

and if he has 3 or solid appearances setting up and closing will likely be the closer, because he's being brought back to be put in that role...I don't have the same hope that Pinella and Rothschild shared regarding Dempster. It won't surpise me to see Dempster get a shot at some starts before he's traded by the deadline (my prediction).

Howry I expect will struggle some given all of the appearances and age. Eyre's another heavily used guy who is a candidate for some injury time.

Those are the negatives.

The plusses being that Howry and Eyre could also perform just as wella s last year, Weurtz much better and Wood is healthy and productive. The Cubs have a number of minor league arms who are good candidates for the bullpen so I think there bullpen is going to be strong regardless of Howry and Eyre performing as well as last season.

I think Dempster's 2005 was a fluke.

Who should close? Whoever is the best avilable reliver on a given day...Closing for manufactured stat isn't that important.

by DudeVf1 on Nov 13, 2006 10:43 PM CST reply actions

Whether we..

agree with it or not, Hendry has Rothschild have made it very clear Dempster will be given the job at the beginning of the year. Lou, likewise has said the same thing. Rothschild has said he thinks Demp will return to his 2005 form. I personally doubt it. However, they've also made it clear that if Demp struggles their going to give it to someone else. So expect Demp to be the closer at the beginning of the year, but he will lose his job if he struggles. Also, Lou is notorious for patience with pitchers who consistently walk people, just think what he'll feel like when his closer is walking people. Demp will start the year as our closer, but I doubt he'll still have the job at the end of the year. I would like to see Howry as our closer. If Wood is healthy this year, then at the end of the year he could be the closer.

by Macy on Nov 13, 2006 11:53 PM CST up reply actions

In my post above..

I said Lou was notorious for patience with pitchers who walk a lot of people. I meant to say he's notorious for NOT having patience with pitchers who don't throw strikes. He'll pull the plug on them very quickly. Demp could get in Lou's dog house very quick if he continues to walk people.

by Macy on Nov 13, 2006 11:58 PM CST up reply actions

What about Aardsma

I haven't seen anyone talking about him, doesn't he deserve to be in this conversation?

by Mercury on Nov 14, 2006 8:16 AM CST reply actions

Absolutely!

Aardsma throws harder than anyone in the current bullpen. His control is his only issue. If he could learn to throw strikes, he'd definitely be in the mix.

This does give the Cubs some flexibility in trading this offseason.

by Al Yellon on Nov 14, 2006 8:29 AM CST up reply actions

IIRC

He was mostly lights out since he got called up at the end of May. Aardsma looks like a good option for either setup or closer. One question about the bullpen, do we have anyone who could be a legit long man? With a bullpen of Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Aardsma, Ohman, and possibly one other, those all look like short relievers.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 14, 2006 9:23 AM CST up reply actions

wouldnt

dempster fit that bill if he wasnt the closer? assuming he is the closer, guzman or marmol would be my pick. I am really excited about this bullpen.

by kylejo on Nov 14, 2006 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

What?

34% wants Dempster? Did you all miss the last half of last season?!??!?!?! Remember that guy who loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th almost EVERY SINGLE TIME and rarely got out of it? THAT was Dempster. Perhaps you are all confusing him with someone else. Maybe Howry. I could understand that---they're both. . . males. . . and pitchers.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 14, 2006 8:32 AM CST reply actions

Julie

I voted for Dempster based on the question. Unless I read it wrong, it said who would, not should. Just given the recent history of sticking with ineffective people, it's probably gonna be Dempster. That being said, I like Aardsma or Wuertz. Although Bobby Howry would do a good job, I don't know if I want to move our most consistent reliever to a closing-only role. What do we do if we need consistency earlier in the game? Wood would be awesome with his stuff, but I've given up the Kerry Wood flavored KoolAid. It has this nasty aftertaste that causes shoulder problems...

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Nov 14, 2006 8:42 AM CST up reply actions

Fair enough

I read it as "who should close in 2007?"

I agree that we will probably be stuck with Dempster again, at least at the beginning of the season.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 14, 2006 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

Kerry Wood

My concern with Kerry is that for most of his career he has had five days notice to get ready to pitch. I know that he has pitched out of the pen, but warm-up time and pitching several days a week are concerns. It is obvious that he has the stuff to be a closer and probably the mental make-up, but the physical part is what worries me.

by Mercury on Nov 14, 2006 8:50 AM CST reply actions

Bullpen by committee

I have eroding faith in Ryan Dempster. And my suspicion is that his performance and antics will piss off Sweet Lou. Maybe Bob Howry grabs some saves, maybe even David Aardsma.

by BlueMike on Nov 14, 2006 9:11 AM CST reply actions

Howry

Is my man.

And I'd like to see the starting pitchers close out more of their own games next year. Two CGs for the entire season is pretty pathetic.

by danimal15 on Nov 14, 2006 9:19 AM CST reply actions

It is...

... although that's a trend in baseball these days -- only one team (Cleveland) had more than NINE CG's in 2006 (they had 13).

by Al Yellon on Nov 14, 2006 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

This is precisely

why the Cubs' rotation needs a workhorse addition like Freddy Garcia. They need somebody outside of Zambrano who can give you 225 innings.

by BlueMike on Nov 14, 2006 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

I'll go along with that

Though Z and Garcia each could easily throw 240 to 250 innings if we asked them to. I'd love to see Garcia in a Cubs uniform next year.

by danimal15 on Nov 14, 2006 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

I'm on the "wait and see" boat

I'm not sure how good of an indicator spring training is, but if one guy sucks, don't let him sink or swim as a closer.

If Wood is 100% healthy and does well in spring training, I'd like it to be him. I've lost my faith in Dempster, I hope he really was hiding an injury last year rather than just sucking. Howry or Eyre would be great, but we'd need our starters to go a lot longer than last year and our middle relievers can't suck either. Still, even if just three of Eyre, Howry, Dempster, and Wood are healthy and as good as they should be, we'll be one step ahead of last year.

I don't see us making any relief/closer signings or trades unless we make a trade that sends Howry, Eyre, or Dempster (like anyone would want him) away. Weurtz put up great numbers and Marmol & Ryu were great out of the pen at times, so I hope we can keep our new players limited to the rotation, OF, and SS/2B.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 14, 2006 10:21 AM CST reply actions

The good thing is

that Sweet Lou will suffer no fools, especially as it relates to bullpen performance. If Dempster is awful once again, Piniella won't mess around.

by BlueMike on Nov 14, 2006 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

Very true..

BlueMike. Lou won't pull a Dusty, which is why I don't care who's given the job first as long as the one who does deserve to be the closer eventually get's it. One things for sure, we have options. There's a lot of weaknesses on this team, but the bullpen is deep and talented. We'll almost certainly have one of the very best bullpens next year. That also gives us some flexibilty in trades as well. If we have to trade a reliever for another player that could help us at another position, we're well stocked to take that hit.

by Macy on Nov 15, 2006 12:35 AM CST up reply actions

yikes

one guy can't find the plate

one guy can't pitch every five let alone every 2

one guy pitched a ton last year.

I think we nee to figure out who sucks and who doesn't, otherwise we will never need a closer. But right now assuming we do, I don't see how you can pick Wood or Dempster with a straight face.

by mike b on Nov 14, 2006 11:25 AM CST reply actions

Precisely

Kerry Wood doesn't even know if he will be able to lift his arm up to comb his hair two days in row, let alone serve as a reliable contributor of the Cub bullpen.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 14, 2006 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

bullpen

I think the pen actually looks pretty good and should be the last of our worries. We have a lot of talent there in Howry, Eyre, Wood, Wuertz. Even Dempster has shown flashes of brilliance (mostly in 2005). The Cubs don't need to add anyone - I'm sure one of these guys can successfully close. What concerns me more is whether we can find any starter besides Zambrano who can regularly pitch more than 6 innings.

by danimal15 on Nov 14, 2006 3:08 PM CST reply actions