Cubs sign RHP Brian Boehringer

[Jake]

you guys don't think this is money well spent if all the guy does is help the younger pitchers in AAA learn how to pitch in the majors and nothing else?

 

I don't think he would really be of value in that regard.

 

It's not an expensive gamble, although it doesn't really have any upside regardless.

 

Yeah, plus if he continues to get shelled in AAA, I can't see why any of our young pitchers would put any stock in anything he has to say regarding pitching, nor would I want them too. If this was like Mussina in a few years or something like that, I would agree with you, but not this guy.

Becuase, for better or worse, he's had success at the majors. He was there, he did what he had to do to get there. It's not all about talent. You have to do the work also. A 36 year old guy who's getting himself ready to pitch daily, who knows what it takes to get there, is a good example, regardless of how he pitches.

[goonys evil twin]

you guys don't think this is money well spent if all the guy does is help the younger pitchers in AAA learn how to pitch in the majors and nothing else?

 

I don't think he would really be of value in that regard.

 

It's not an expensive gamble, although it doesn't really have any upside regardless.

 

Yeah, plus if he continues to get shelled in AAA, I can't see why any of our young pitchers would put any stock in anything he has to say regarding pitching, nor would I want them too. If this was like Mussina in a few years or something like that, I would agree with you, but not this guy.

Becuase, for better or worse, he's had success at the majors. He was there, he did what he had to do to get there. It's not all about talent. You have to do the work also. A 36 year old guy who's getting himself ready to pitch daily, who knows what it takes to get there, is a good example, regardless of how he pitches.

 

Nobody is going to be better for having been on the same team as this guy.

[craig]

Jake, thanks for notes on Boehringer's health history with Pittsburgh.

 

To me, how effective a pitcher is is totally dependent on the health of his arm. Dempster had a bad arm for some time pre-surgery; post-surgery his arm is better and of course so is he.

 

When Boehringer's arm was healthy, he was a competent reliever. Is it healthy now? Who knows, and not likely, he didn't have any corrective surgery and he's 36, so not probable. But for $0.050, I don't see any problem with adding him. If his arm is healthy, he may be a useful alternative for a situation that looks thinner after Wellemeyer or Williamson are traded.