Put a fork in Dempster?

[CubfaninCA]

When the Cubs put a little money into a closer they usually suck.

 

Just recently, JoBo, Alfy, Rojas. Hawkins wasn't brought in to close, but he was consider one of the best setup men in the game.

[Warren Brusstar]

no

[soccer10k]

Not yet. None of those other guys had a consecutive saves streak or a scoreless innings streak like Dempster.

[NorthsideAvenger]

When the Cubs put a little money into a closer they usually suck.

 

Just recently, JoBo, Alfy, Rojas. Hawkins wasn't brought in to close, but he was consider one of the best setup men in the game.

 

Are you CRAZY? None of those players were used as rarely as Dempster has been used in the last 25+ games. No closer would be consistant with inconsistant playing time.

[GG4B]

Maybe Dempster can take that fork and put it in Neifi.

[abuck1220]

i was very concerned about dempster going into the season based on his pretty mediocre career #'s. i'm not really surprised to see him struggle.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

http://www.aversion.com/bands/kneejerk/images/rev115.gif

[CubfaninCA]

http://www.aversion.com/bands/kneejerk/images/rev115.gif

 

have seen this happen too often recently, and dempster hasn't been a closer for too long.

 

it's the billy goat, man.

[Jehrico]

he's only given anything up 3 times so far this year when it counted. The other two times, the game was decided and were inconsequential. Two of those three were today and yesterday (i.e. before yesterday, he'd only given up anything in a game when it mattered once).

 

Pulling Dempster now would be like benching Cedeno after his first 0-12. It's stupid, and doesn't make sense. Ride it out.

[Shilzzz]

obviously dempster can do the job, he has proven that much, but when you don't get a save opprotunity forever then you get them but they are very spurratic imo it's unfair to expect perfection. sure he's been far from it, and for that he is as accountable as anyone else, but he's one of the few i haven't lost faith in...yet

[CubfaninCA]

he's only given anything up 3 times so far this year when it counted. The other two times, the game was decided and were inconsequential. Two of those three were today and yesterday (i.e. before yesterday, he'd only given up anything in a game when it mattered once).

 

Pulling Dempster now would be like benching Cedeno after his first 0-12. It's stupid, and doesn't make sense. Ride it out.

 

i'm not suggesting pulling him. hopefully, he turns it around. would suck having to find another closer again.

[ZMovieman]

He's also got the right mentality. He was interviewed after the game and said that while the boos hurt, he deserved every one of them. He took accountability for the loss and I have to believe he's going to recover.

[KatJ]

Maybe Dempster can take that fork and put it in Neifi.

 

Exactly. If you didn't see the game (which I hadn't, and doubt you did), read the PBP. Neifi's TWO errors and JJ's fielding sealed the deal. I figure Demps was truly responsible for the first run in the 9th only.

[UMFan83]

Not yet. None of those other guys had a consecutive saves streak or a scoreless innings streak like Dempster.

 

Whose consecutive saves streak did Dempster recently break?

 

JoBo's

[SouthSideRyan]

http://www.aversion.com/bands/kneejerk/images/rev115.gif

 

have seen this happen too often recently, and dempster hasn't been a closer for too long.

 

it's the billy goat, man.

 

YEAH!!! IT'S A GOAT!!!

[erik316wttn]

He's also got the right mentality. He was interviewed after the game and said that while the boos hurt, he deserved every one of them. He took accountability for the loss and I have to believe he's going to recover.

 

He'll be gone by the trade deadline. We can't have that crap on this team!

[Fred Hornkohl]

When the Cubs put a little money into a closer they usually suck.

 

Just recently, JoBo, Alfy, Rojas. Hawkins wasn't brought in to close, but he was consider one of the best setup men in the game.

 

Are you CRAZY? None of those players were used as rarely as Dempster has been used in the last 25+ games. No closer would be consistant with inconsistant playing time.

 

Come on, Dempster's been in 11 of the last 25 games. That's very nearly every other game. Let's go easy on the hyperbole.... what do you say ?

 

04/30 - 05/26        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
Dempster           10.7   11    9    8    5   11    1   159  4.22  9.28  0.84  1.50  6.75
Eyre               12.3    6    3    3    5   16    2   205  3.65 11.68  1.46  0.89  2.19
Howry              10.0    9    4    4    2    6    2   155  1.80  5.40  1.80  1.10  3.60
Ohman              12.0    9    2    2    3   12    1   185  2.25  9.00  0.75  1.00  1.50
Rusch              10.7   10    6    5    5    8    0   196  4.22  6.75  0.00  1.41  4.22
Williamson         10.7    6    2    2    6    9    0   164  5.06  7.59  0.00  1.13  1.69
Wuertz              1.0    3    2    2    2    1    0    46 18.00  9.00  0.00  5.00 18.00
Novoa              10.7   13   10    7    7    7    2   229  5.91  5.91  1.69  1.88  5.91
Ryu                 1.0    1    1    1    2    2    0    27 18.00 18.00  0.00  3.00  9.00

[Sammy Sofa]

I think based on what he's accomplished thus far, it'll be another 2-3 blown saves before I really start worrying about whether or not he has the "stuff" to close. What I AM worried about is whether he's hurt or not. Look at his velocity in the last few games...few, if any of his pitches end up over 90. He's just got the low slider, which is a great pitch if you have something else to go with it, which Demp has had? Ryan seems like a great guy and it wouldn't surprise me if he's playing hurt thinking he needs to push through it while the team is stinking so badly. Didn't Borowski end up being a victim of the "hidden injury?" It may end up Demp needs time off soon, in which case it might be timely to try out Kerry Wood: Closer to give him some polish before the trade deadline.

[CubfaninCA]

I think based on what he's accomplished thus far, it'll be another 2-3 blown saves before I really start worrying about whether or not he has the "stuff" to close. What I AM worried about is whether he's hurt or not. Look at his velocity in the last few games...few, if any of his pitches end up over 90. He's just got the low slider, which is a great pitch if you have something else to go with it, which Demp has had? Ryan seems like a great guy and it wouldn't surprise me if he's playing hurt thinking he needs to push through it while the team is stinking so badly. Didn't Borowski end up being a victim of the "hidden injury?" It may end up Demp needs time off soon, in which case it might be timely to try out Kerry Wood: Closer to give him some polish before the trade deadline.

 

i was wondering if dempster's may be hurt too. he just didn't seem to be going after the braves' hitters.

[rynefan]

I think I know what his problem is.... he plays cards with Neifi in the clubhouse. Heard him interviewed last Monday on the Score. Gotta steer clear of Neifi!! Said he likes to play cards with NP because it's funny how he pouts after he loses... wonder if he pouts after he makes TWO ERRORS on one play. Duh.

[CubfaninCA]

I think I know what his problem is.... he plays cards with Neifi in the clubhouse. Heard him interviewed last Monday on the Score. Gotta steer clear of Neifi!! Said he likes to play cards with NP because it's funny how he pouts after he loses... wonder if he pouts after he makes TWO ERRORS on one play. Duh.

 

neifi's been a bad luck charm ever since they brought him in in 2004.

 

bring back randall simon!

[Andy]

Dempster was probably done the minute the Cubs actually gave him a multiyear deal. That's just what happens to this team. DLee breaks his wrist, Ramirez craps his way through the better part of two months, etc.

[erik316wttn]

I think based on what he's accomplished thus far, it'll be another 2-3 blown saves before I really start worrying about whether or not he has the "stuff" to close. What I AM worried about is whether he's hurt or not. Look at his velocity in the last few games...few, if any of his pitches end up over 90. He's just got the low slider, which is a great pitch if you have something else to go with it, which Demp has had? Ryan seems like a great guy and it wouldn't surprise me if he's playing hurt thinking he needs to push through it while the team is stinking so badly. Didn't Borowski end up being a victim of the "hidden injury?" It may end up Demp needs time off soon, in which case it might be timely to try out Kerry Wood: Closer to give him some polish before the trade deadline.

 

This is what worries me, too.

 

JoBo was the same way. Loss of velocity, didn't go after hitters, etc. He was hiding an arm injury. I wouldn't be shocked if Demp is doing the same.

 

Of course, if he is hurt its not like it hurts the Cubs too much. The season is over anyway.

[srbin84]

You guys are overracting. Dempster is a great closer and was a great signing. Look at the full body of work. I think a lot people have taken for granted just how good and reliable he has been for us. He's in a slump right now, but it's the first time he has done anything negative since becoming a closer. He'll get through this and rattle off another 10-20 in a row.

[Laura]

Dempster had a few pitches get away from him while he was warming up on the side before the 9th. Get Away as in zoom several feet over the head of the bullpen catcher (or hit the ground well in front of him) and bounce down in front of the Cubs dugout. I wonder what's going on with him.