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Cubs need a closer

Sweet Swinging Billy

By Sweet Swinging Billy,
in Chicago Cubs Talk

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Sweet Swinging Billy First Round Pick

Sweet Swinging Billy

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

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KingCubsFan ACL Cubs

KingCubsFan

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

S ERA

1999 CWS 69 0 0 0 67.2 58 34 27 8 38 80 5 3 28 1 6 3.59

Howry's done it before

soccer10k Cooperstown

soccer10k

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Figuring out who should close is the least of the Cubs problems at the moment and they definitely don't need to sign/trade for anybody to do the job.
Backtobanks Knoxville Smokies

Backtobanks

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I agree with you that Dempster needs to be traded, but I don't think the Cubs need a closer. Howry has experience as a closer, Wood (if healthy) will be a lights-out closer, and I think Wuertz is capable of closing. Also, I remember hearing somewhere that people think Marmol could very well develop into a closer for the future.
CP_414 First Round Pick

CP_414

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Ryan Dempster

Bob Howry

Scott Eyre

Michael Wuertz

Kerry Wood

 

Yeah, um, I think we can find someone to close.

 

Agreed. One of those guys will step up and take the job. The Cubs need a SS, and a nice 5-year deal for Big Z.

Rob Knoxville Smokies

Rob

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

C.C. Chicago Cubs

C.C.

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

 

You can add Cotts in there also. Man, that is a stacked pen.

Soul MVP

Soul

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Closer is the last thing we need.

 

Wuertz or Woody will make great closers. Take your pick. Dempster moves to middle relief.

abuck1220 Iowa Cubs

abuck1220

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

 

how is that a stacked bullpen? besides wood, it's the same pen they had last year, and it wasn't anything special.

Rob Knoxville Smokies

Rob

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

 

how is that a stacked bullpen? besides wood, it's the same pen they had last year, and it wasn't anything special.

 

There are enough people better than Novoa that he becomes relegated to towel boy?

 

Most of the criticisms of our pen as a whole last year came about because of guys like Rusch, Ryu, Guzman, etc... coming in in long relief and giving up a good deal of runs. The core of the pen is very solid, and if we're smart enough to keep Wuertz up all year that's just icing on the cake.

Transmogrified Tiger All-Star

Transmogrified Tiger

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

 

how is that a stacked bullpen? besides wood, it's the same pen they had last year, and it wasn't anything special.

 

Wood + a full season of Wuertz is a very large difference, upwards of 100 innings of very good production.

VVMattVV College Ball

VVMattVV

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
With the Tigers signing Jose Mesa yesterday, it reminded me of the uncertainty that revolves around the Cubs, and the fact that we really don't have anyone reliable to close games. Ryan Dumpster? No thanks, trade him! And I'm not comfortable with just handing the role over to Wood, Howry, or Eyre. I would like to see the Cubs pick up a veteran closer who has done this kind of thing before. Are there any good closers left, still on the market?

 

I absolutely do not want the Cubs wasting precious resources on a "closer." The cash and talent spent to acquire somebody to do that job wouldn't be near as much of an upgrade (if at all) in the bullpen than it would be if it were spent on SS or CF.

 

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

Ohman

Wuertz

 

That's a freaking stacked bullpen.

 

(relievers not listed in order of talent, but in the likely hierarchy Lou sees them in... Wuertz for closer, w00t!)

 

how is that a stacked bullpen? besides wood, it's the same pen they had last year, and it wasn't anything special.

 

Hopefully Wuertz is in the pen all year, instead of being wasted at AAA like he was last year. Who knows if Cotts will be any good. Hopefully some of these guys will be traded before the year starts anyway.

BigbadB First Round Pick

BigbadB

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted

Dempster was pretty good with regular work. Regular work comes from leading a lot of games in the late innings.

 

They don't need a closer.

CubmanPi South Bend Cubs

CubmanPi

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
With the bullpen we have, the role of closer doesn't even have to exist. Piniella could just throw out whoever he thinks should go that particular inning based on matchups, who needs rest, who needs work, etc, and I think this season's 9th inning leads will hold up just fine.
David GOAT

David

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Alfonseca is proven

 

He's got a finger up on the competition.

 

Nice.

 

Alfonseca? ... Thanks for nubbin.

 

Nice twice.

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