good thing we solved the closer problem

[Big Fergie J]

Dusty's going to "do matchups." Oh my God.

 

Brilliant Dusty, just brilliant. How long have you been thinking of this strategy ?

 

Welcome to the first inning featuring 3 double-switches.

[TB_11]

I fully agree. Heck, the way Wuertz is throwing, let's trade Dempster while he still has value as a closer, and bring Wuertz up to close. It's not like a closer is essential to a 100-loss team anyway.

 

While Dempster's contract might deter some teams (2 years and $10.5M remaining after 2006), Hendry should seriously consider this option.

[brewfandave]

mostly. though with the way dempster has walked people his whole career, i'm open to the possibility that maybe dempster just isn't that great of a closer.

 

We've been debating this among Brewer fans about Turnbow, so it's not just you guys.

 

Now that I think about it, there isn't an "elite" or "shut-down" closer in the Central these days.

 

Cardinals - Izzy - always had trouble with WHIP, but was able to minimize damage for two charmed seasons

 

Reds - Weathers? Coffey? Do they even have a closer?

 

Crew - Turnbow - one of his nicknames is "Wild Thing" for a reason, folks.

 

Astros - Lidge - Game 6, Albert Pujols.

 

Cobs - Dempster's having some trouble.

 

Pirates - do they even bother with a closer?

[MustangMike]

Dempster is having a crappy season, but I see no reason not to think that he deserves a chance to close for a team that can get him a save situation more than once a month, and for a manager that will pitch him more than once a week.

 

How does not getting a chance to close constantly effect his ability to pitch? I've never understood that. This magic switch that has to be turned on seems crazy to me. First its he's not in close games, then its he doesn't pitch enough. I think as cub fans we make too many excuses for players. I like Dempster, but he's sucked this year. 4 blown saves, era at 4 1/2, runs scored in half his innings...come on.

[thedaymen]

Now that I think about it, there isn't an "elite" or "shut-down" closer in the Central these days.

 

Astros - Lidge - Game 6, Albert Pujols.

 

Lidge is pretty darn good for a closer. Perhaps the best in the NL now that he's gotten over his early season funk where he was tipping pitches.

 

As for Dempster, I think he's earned the benefit of the doubt after his string of what, 26 straight saves? He needs to pitch more because he shows his rust...not to mention that the defense killed him last night? How many er's for Demp last night? 0. Why? Because despite their best efforts to get a team of guys who can catch the ball, the Cubs kind of stink defensively.

[frostwyrm]

He's had 15 Save Opportunities this year. I don't think the closer role is what's killing this team.

 

if dempster did his job we'd be 32-44 with a .421 winning percentage.

 

that's a heck of a lot better than 28-48 with a .386 winning percentage

 

You're kidding right?

 

mostly. though with the way dempster has walked people his whole career, i'm open to the possibility that maybe dempster just isn't that great of a closer.

I'm open to the possibility that he's just a bad pitcher. He had a nice run of 4 and a half months and 60-something innings as a reliever and he got a $15.5 million deal out of it. I was one of those who felt his track record didn't justify such a large $$ committment.

[badger1679666666]

He's had 15 Save Opportunities this year. I don't think the closer role is what's killing this team.

 

if dempster did his job we'd be 32-44 with a .421 winning percentage.

 

that's a heck of a lot better than 28-48 with a .386 winning percentage

 

You're kidding right?

 

mostly. though with the way dempster has walked people his whole career, i'm open to the possibility that maybe dempster just isn't that great of a closer.

I'm open to the possibility that he's just a bad pitcher. He had a nice run of 4 and a half months and 60-something innings as a reliever and he got a $15.5 million deal out of it. I was one of those who felt his track record didn't justify such a large $$ committment.

 

He was pretty decent to start this year, when he was getting regular work as well...

 

I don't think a proper evaluation can be made until he has some consistency in the role, and consistent work in general.

[BigbadB]

I don't think a proper evaluation can be made until he has some consistency in the role, and consistent work in general.

 

He'll need to be traded for that to happen.

[NCCubFan]

I'm open to the possibility that he's just a bad pitcher. He had a nice run of 4 and a half months and 60-something innings as a reliever and he got a $15.5 million deal out of it. I was one of those who felt his track record didn't justify such a large $$ committment.

He's not a bad pitcher. He may not be as good as he showed at the end of last year and start of this year, but when he's on he's very good. Today he was on.