Is relief help on its way?

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 2:57 PM CDT

While everyone is talking mostly about the big name starters (Harden, Burnett, Hudson, Bedard ect.) and the lesser name starters (Wolf, Maddux,) and I have even heard the name Freddy Garcia come up, what about adding a bullpen arm or two to solidify a bullpen that could use a few fresh arms. Could Gallagher be the addition that the cubs need or do they have to look outside of the organization. Heath Bell? Brian Fuentes? Or do they stick with exactly what they have now. Talk it up

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I would like to see use use some of the young guys

Asiano (forgot exact name) seemed to pitch well and yet we keep sending him down or not really using him. Leiber is not young, but hardly ever pitches. I think we have more depth in the bullpen than we show generally.

by Texas Wahoo on Jul 8, 2008 3:03 PM CDT reply actions

Ascanio

has been very uneven lately.

Lou doesn’t trust the pen beyond Marmol and Woody, for reasons discussed ad absurdium. He only went to Howry when Marmol blew up for those few days.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

If they can't get Harden

I’m sure Jim will ask about Houston Street. He wouldn’t look bad in a cubs uniform and could be a nice addition.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

Brian Fuentes

I think he would be that dependable LHP in the pen that the Cubs need. Eyre has injury problems. Cotts seems to be too up and down. He’s done well of late. I still don’t trust him. In a playoff series, the Cubs are going to need more than Marmol and Wood in the pen to win. They definitely need a good southpaw reliever.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 8, 2008 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

Fuentes

Doesn’t seem to have been that consistent this year. His ERA is a full run higher than Cotts and he’s blown 4 out of 18 save opportunities this year. I know he wouldn’t be closing, but I wouldn’t give up much for him.

by Texas Wahoo on Jul 8, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Another choice I'd like us to consider...

Would be Mahey from KC… check out those numbers!

by socalicubsfan on Jul 8, 2008 3:27 PM CDT reply actions

Mahey

Pretty old, 37to be exact but finds a way to keep a very solid era. under 2 this season. He would be a good addition but a lefty like fuentes might fill more of a need.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Mahay, (not Mahey).

Would be a good option as well. Although I think Fuentes is more likely.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Mahay is good

Fuentes is better.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I would give up anyone...

that is not an everyday guy or the obvious pitchers Z, Demp, Marmol, Wood, and so on if we could somehow get Harden and Street from the As that would be my dream come true

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

The bullpen

Here’s how we currently stand:

Lieber – long man
Wuertz
Cotts
Gallagher
Howry
Marmol
Wood

I like Gallagher in the rotation, but hopefully he’ll be a good power arm in the ‘pen. It will be interesting to see in what role Lou uses Gallagher—another late-inning guy to help take the pressure off of Marmol?

Lieber has been decent as a long man / blowout pitcher. Cotts has been quite solid. Wuertz, although he’s put a fair number of baserunners on, has managed to maintain a 2.70 ERA. Howry seems like he’s getting into midseason form, finally; his velocity is just about where it was the second half of last year. Marmol, though struggling, is still hard to it. And Wood has been terrific.

So where does that leave room for improvement?

Well, Eyre is on the DL (as is Chad Fox, though I don’t think it’s real likely Fox will be back). Recent reports have indicated that Eyre could be out for a little while, so the Cubs want to add another lefty to the pen.

This is pure speculation on my part, but it wouldn’t totally surprise me if the Cubs went after someone like Damaso Marte, who is probably available. The other obvious choice would be Brian Fuentes.

2008:
Marte: 41.2 IP 12BB 44K 1.13WHIP 3.46 ERA
Fuentes: 35.0 IP 11BB 34K 1.26WHIP 3.60 ERA

Marte’s numbers are slightly better, though when factoring in Coors I think the difference is relatively neglible. I’d guess that Marte would be cheaper both in terms of salary and trade demands (Murton could work out if the Pirates trade Nady).

by John Q Freejazz on Jul 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

HOWRY COW!

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 8, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Wuertz is a perfect example why ERA is a bad stat for relief pitchers

His strand rate has been terrible, he’s given up a run in almost half of his innings pitched, and his strikeouts are way down.

by Wreckard on Jul 8, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Any chance the Cubs

bring up The Shark to become a power arm I don’t think so but, its been a rumor

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

There is probably a chance of that...

Would be a good chance to get him some big league work in the pen before he goes into the rotation.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd love to see Heath Bell in a Cubs uniform

but I have a feeling the Padres might be grooming him to eventually replace Hoffman as their closer.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 8, 2008 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

There are a lot of rumors

saying that the Shark as well as Cashner this years #1 pick will be up this year before possibly joining the rotation in the future if nothing else I think expect to see them both Sept. 1 when rosters expand

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 8, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions

Last year, these relief pitchers were traded:

Eric Gagne
Octavio Dotel
Scott Proctor
Ron Mahay
Scott Linebrink

On average, that’s 22 IP and a 3.79 ERA. I fail to see how that’s a significant upgrade. And you could always end up being the team holding the bag on a guy like Gagne or Dotel, a short-term gas can, just as easily as you could end up with the 2008 version of Mahay.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions

Excellent point

The difference between Mahay and Cotts over 22 innings is negligible. Unless a team REALLY needs relievers bad adding someone who’s only going to throw a relative handful of innings and only slightly better than the guys he’s replacing anyway just isn’t that big of an upgrade.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Jul 8, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Gagne is a joke

I used to love this guy but ever since he got busted for roids he’s been garbage, not to mention the guy looks like garbage with his hair hanging out of his hat and his pants ten sizes to big

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 8, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

MLBTR

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/06/the-reliever-ma.html

Here is who they have said is availble i like Rauch and Sherril

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

Rauch

has been solid the last couple of years but is similar to what we have in howry. Tall righthander who isn’t overpowering and good control. Sherril would be nice but hes had some control problems this year.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

i'd take another

Howry over Wuertz plue Rauch has a good Curveball and has been a closer

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Marte

I like the idea of shipping Murton away for Marte, it looks like there is little chance Nady is still in Pitt so I could see it working and neither player is an amazing player so it could work despite being in the same division

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jul 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

Heath Bell, Jon Rauch, Damosa Marte, Brian Fuentes,,,

These will be some of the names bandied about. I am of the opinion that Jim Hendry will add at least one and maybe two significant arms to the bullpen.

Get Rich Harden, Tim Hudson or AJ Burnett RIGHT NOW !!! No more living in denial and rationalizing away the holes on this pitching staff. No more Luvable Loser syndrome getting in the way of gunning for a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Jul 8, 2008 3:54 PM CDT reply actions

Heath Bell

=future closer for the pads. You really think they would trade him?

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Now Blue Mike...

This one I agree with you on: Jon Rauch & Fuentes. Bell: I don’t think he’s going anywhere but the closer spot for the Pads next year, and Marte; while he has good numbers this year- I don’t trust him, too afraid that he would trail off as we got further into the second half. My preference is Rauch. Rauch is available, I don’t think he’s cheap, but also I don’t think he’s over-priced either.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

Maybe Grawbow would be a cheaper lefty

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

I think Rauch would be pretty inexpensive though

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't think of Grabow...

Interesting option. Good thinking, I’ll do a little research…

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

So far so good for Grabow

Looks like this is his best year other than 2006. See for yourself.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 8, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Just looked that up brohammm....

Sounds like a good idea. You think he’s a better option than Rauch?

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe not better necessarily

but Grabow’s a southpaw. That might be the deciding factor, if Eyre becomes a problem.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 8, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

True enough.

I’m afraid that Eyre is a mirage, and might soon disappear altogether.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Idon't mind Chad Bradfor

either he throws wierd but gets people out and is very accurate and does not give up HR’s

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

anyway twins part with Nathan

I doubt it and there still in the race but everyone thought he was getting traded last off-season just a thought.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

Nathan I think would be cost prohibitive.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Scott Downs

Of Toranto would be a nice addition and hes a lefty.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

And he's a former Cub!

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Best Relief Help

is to get a SS who gets to grounders instead of just getting his uni dirty. More outs made means longer starter appearances means a rested ‘pen means we win more games.

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Please

We all get it. You think Theriot is horrible at defense and you would like anyone who is better. you don’t have to keep repeating yourself.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 4:20 PM CDT reply actions

He makes a good point...

While Theriot is scrappy & has earned his spot in the line-up, he doesn’t have much range, or much of an arm. He’s a 2nd baseman playing out of position at short. With that being said, I don’t think he’s going anywhere because of his bat.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey now

I’ve been keeping tally and I get 3 more repitions of this point before I’m over the limit. Although I have been thinking of trading in some “Rich Harden gets injured a lot” posts to get a few more repitions of this particular point. Comparing to other posters, I should have two and a half dozen “Harden = Prior” posts saved up for trade in.

If I am getting into the dead horse zone, it’s because I keep reading all these long shopping lists from other posters, and I think – why trade for 2-4 pitchers, when you could trade for one infielder and accomplish the same thing?

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

DGU - You do know I was agreeing with you, right?

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 8, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, Jimmy

I was responding to cubs. I would have responded to you, too, but I was saving up repetitive posts for some Hoffpauir bashing later, just in case he ever got called up again. :p

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Who is on your short list of attainable shortstops?

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 8, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Bucky Dent is still around, right?

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

The problem is that I think the

best overall SS on the trade market is probably Ronny Cedeno. He’s clearly not an option for us because we can’t trade for him. Off the top of my head, without trying to grade them defensively (which is actually kind of the point), I’d say there’s
Julio Lugo
Jack Wilson
Khalil Greene
Yuniesky Betancourt?

At the risk of getting doubly repetive (notice, we are all trying to avoid misspelting this word the same way more than once), this is why I think Cedeno’s trade value may be significantly more than people are assuming.

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions