Why aren't Cubs fans talking about Derek Lowe?

by kanderber on Nov 16, 2008 10:48 AM CST Comment 21 comments

In terms of starting pitchers, the only real names that have been discussed thus far have been Dempster, Peavy, and to a certain extent Randy Johnson. But I want to bring another name to the discussion -- Derek Lowe. I don't know what his preferences are, so this may be moot, but I think it's at least worth talking about.

During his last four years in LA, he has been a consistently good pitcher, and has stayed healthy too (no fewer than 32 starts since becoming a starter in '02). He's coming off his best season in years (3.24 ERA, 1.133 WHIP) and had three solid years prior to '08 (ERA never above 3.88, WHIP never above 1.269). He doesn't walk many people either, so that should make Lou like him in and of itself.

The only negative against Lowe that I can see is that he's on the older side (he'll turn 36 in June), but since he became a starter in 2002, he's remained healthy that whole time. And his numbers have been very consistent the last four years, so I'm not sure if the age should be too big of a concern. I figure he'll get Dempster money, but for fewer years due to his age. Am I missing something here? Why not Derek Lowe?

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Lowe would be nice

ground ball pitcher seems like a good fit in wrigley….the cubs may be looking at him too because peavy isn’t gonna happen, I don’t think the cubs will sign randy johnson, and it seems more likely as time passes that ryan dempster will pitch somewhere else next year.

by cubsmania on Nov 16, 2008 11:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

His name has come up here numerous times

The negative is he is probably looking for 3 years.

by rlpete on Nov 16, 2008 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

re: Lowe

I think it’s because most expectations are that he’ll get more money than Dempster (at least, AAV) due to his track record and his intensity (reports about him being a strong health and workout fanatic). I’m guessing he might be asking for more than a 15 AAV to start.

by toonsterwu on Nov 16, 2008 12:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lowe?

I dunno about Lowe. He’s be OK in a short term contract, but I don’t think he is the best pitcher available. I have a feeling the Cubs may not sign anybody major besides Dempster. They may make some trades, but, I think the lines has been drawn and Hendry is standing on it.

by TheHawkRules on Nov 16, 2008 12:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Looking at his history...

Lowe came up at age 24 with the Seattle Mariners, who were managed by….
…Lou Piniella. And he… …stunk, with an ERA+ of 64. His minor league numbers aren’t awe-inspiring, and he only missed about half a season (no indicator of TJ surgery), so the M’s may have been down on him for taking so long to get to the MLs.

They shipped him to Boston that July (with Varitek), and he blossomed almost immediately. Which begs the question(s)…

Is Lou upset at him for not being good as a Mariner? (We all know what Lou’s doghouse is like.)
Does Lou simply remember him as a bad pitcher?
Would Lowe think of signing with a Lou Piniella managed team when he will have plenty of choices?
Does Hendry think that his price will be too high and hasn’t gone after him?
Has Lowe’s agent simply not played the “spread the rumors” game with the Cubs’ media?

If you can answer those questions, you might figure out why Cubs fans aren’t talking about Derek Lowe.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 16, 2008 1:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That was a long time ago...

I can’t imagine that Lou and/or Hendry are putting any stock into what Lowe did in 9 starts in his first year in the big leagues at the age of 23 back in 1997.

by kanderber on Nov 16, 2008 2:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

After all,

if the Cubs pick up Lowe, he’ll stop beating them. I don’t remember, but is he 8-1 or 9-1 against the Cubs? Hell, he almost threw a no-hitter at them in 2005.

I attended this game, and sat in row 2 behind the plate. Scott Hairston opened the game with an infield single…I believe it to be a swinging bunt that went about 30 feet without a throw to first.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2005/B08310CHN2005.htm

That was the day’s offense for the Cubs.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 16, 2008 5:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You could say the same thing about Randy Johnson...

… who is 13-0 lifetime vs. the Cubs.

FWIW, that was Jerry Hairston, not Scott.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 16, 2008 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Scott, Jerry...

there are too many Hairstons’ to keep them in all check.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 17, 2008 10:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that's certainly true.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 17, 2008 10:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Derek Lowe is rumored headed back to Boston or staying with the Dodgers

Whether that happens I have no idea. He liked his time in Boston and the Red Sox organization maintains good opinion of him. He also is a southern California guy, and has stated how important it is to be near his kids who live in Los Angeles with his ex-wife. Would he consider the Cubs? Would the Cubs outbid Boston or Los Angelos for his services if they whiff on Ryan Dempster? I’m not sure.

I think if the Cubs whiff on Dempster then they turn their sights to a rehabilitation project like a Ben Sheets or maybe a Brad Penny.

BCB, home of the insidious campaign of the clueless to "Dustyfy" an outstanding manager in Lou Piniella.

by MDBNIU on Nov 16, 2008 5:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

side notes

There were some suggestions late in the year that Lowe wanted out of LA. Not sure if that was a spur of moment thing, but I think it was Rosenthal who had an interview with him where he said he wanted to go East and named Boston. Btw, he also isn’t a So Cal guy, as he was born in Michigan.

That said, I really don’t expect us going down that route anyways due to cost. I can see Sheets get looked at. I also wouldn’t be surprised if we tried exploring the trade market a bit, although there’s only a few names that have been suggested as being available that I would have some interest in (but hey, that’s me, and I’m not Hendry).

by toonsterwu on Nov 16, 2008 6:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Then it is his kids that live in LA with his ex-wife

Derek Lowe to the Cubs? I just don’t see it.

BCB, home of the insidious campaign of the clueless to "Dustyfy" an outstanding manager in Lou Piniella.

by MDBNIU on Nov 16, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh, I don't see it either

They were just side notes. I really don’t see it either Personally, I think the Red Sox are in it to drive up the price for the Yankees. I think he lands in New York.

That said, I think he’ll cost more than Dempster, while perhaps demanding equal years, if not more. Thus, I don’t think Hendry will spend much time on him.

by toonsterwu on Nov 16, 2008 7:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take Derek Lowe over Ryan Dempster

Added benefit is that Lowe won’t cost as much as Dempster. I’ll bet the ranch he pitches better over the next three seasons too even though he is already 35.

BCB, home of the insidious campaign of the clueless to "Dustyfy" an outstanding manager in Lou Piniella.

by MDBNIU on Nov 18, 2008 7:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

been saying this since the offseason started

this is kind of scary BM… we’re agreeing a bit too much of late….

the added benefit as well is that you get an extra draft pick in that swap. If you lose Dempster (and offer arb), you get a 1st or 2nd rd pick as well as a supplemental pick, if you then sign Lowe you lose your 1st rd pick.

So you lose a 1st, gain a 1st or 2nd + Supplemental

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 18, 2008 8:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs