How about Damaso Marte?

[Backtobanks]

I've suggested going after him for quite awhile. The latest from Jason Stark:

My own guess at some useful relievers who may be available: Damaso Marte, Joe Nathan, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, Huston Street, Alan Embree, Kevin Gregg, Jon Rauch, and Chad Cordero.

 

He would give us the loogy that we need. I'm not sure what we would have to give up, but it might be worth it in our "win it now" mode.

[UMFan83]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

[Little Slide Rooter]

I say give Piggy a shot before going out and getting something we dont really need.

[salukifudd]

I say give Piggy a shot before going out and getting something we dont really need.

 

What makes you think we don't need a quality left-hander out of the bullpen? Eyre and Cotts have been less than impressive and Piggy is still unknown to how he will perform in the MLB.

[UK1679666180]

Given the quality of the Cubs pen right now, what he is going to net in return from a team like the Yankees will be more than the Cubs would likely give up.

[Backtobanks]

Given the quality of the Cubs pen right now, what he is going to net in return from a team like the Yankees will be more than the Cubs would likely give up.

 

Doesn't hurt to ask.

[Derwood]

outside of a horrendous WHIP in 2005, Marte has been money as a lefty setup guy. why would anyone suggest wasting him as a LOOGY?

[Post Count Padder]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

[CubColtPacer]

To be honest, I'd rather keep that spot for roster flexibility. Upgrading your 6th bullpen guy doesn't end up making that much of a difference because that low in the bullpen shouldn't be getting important innings anyway. If we're trading Wuertz for something else, than Marte makes more sense as a 2nd left-hander.

[rawaction]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

[Backtobanks]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

[rawaction]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

[Backtobanks]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

[imb]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

lol

 

Roberts in 2007 - 48.6

Derosa in 2007 - 21.3

 

Marte, in what was basically a career year, vorped 15.7

 

In other words, no.

[rawaction]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

Agreed. You do make a good situation better, the rest of your post is untrue though. Trading something of value for Marte is the equivalent of the Bears spending a 3rd round pick on a lead blocker for Hester on kickoffs. Roberts would be the Bears using a top 15 pick on a strongside LB moving Hillenmeyer to the bench. Both help the team get better in an area, but one is much more of a waste of time.

[CubColtPacer]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

Except in the bullpen situation, managers choose specifically what innings can go to which pitchers.

 

Marmol, Howry, Wood, Wuertz, and Eyre can take all the significant innings. The other 2 bullpen spots just need to eat innings where the Cubs are up by more than 4 runs, the Cubs are down by more than 2, or the starter has gone out early.

 

In essence, if you acquire Marte all that you are doing is wasting Wuertz by pushing him into throwing those insignificant innings. Is it really at all important to acquire another pitcher just to throw in those situations where the game is basically over anyway?

[RedFlash]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

Except in the bullpen situation, managers choose specifically what innings can go to which pitchers.

 

Marmol, Howry, Wood, Wuertz, and Eyre can take all the significant innings. The other 2 bullpen spots just need to eat innings where the Cubs are up by more than 4 runs, the Cubs are down by more than 2, or the starter has gone out early.

 

In essence, if you acquire Marte all that you are doing is wasting Wuertz by pushing him into throwing those insignificant innings. Is it really at all important to acquire another pitcher just to throw in those situations where the game is basically over anyway?

 

Do you really want Eyrehead as the lone lefty in the bullpen?

[CubColtPacer]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

Except in the bullpen situation, managers choose specifically what innings can go to which pitchers.

 

Marmol, Howry, Wood, Wuertz, and Eyre can take all the significant innings. The other 2 bullpen spots just need to eat innings where the Cubs are up by more than 4 runs, the Cubs are down by more than 2, or the starter has gone out early.

 

In essence, if you acquire Marte all that you are doing is wasting Wuertz by pushing him into throwing those insignificant innings. Is it really at all important to acquire another pitcher just to throw in those situations where the game is basically over anyway?

 

Do you really want Eyrehead as the lone lefty in the bullpen?

 

If the right-handers had bad splits against left-handers, then I would be worried. Howry, Wood, and Wuertz are all good against left-handers though.

[rawaction]

Eyre being the only lefty last year and being bad at it didn't hurt the Cubs.

[BCVM22]

Eyre being the only lefty last year and being bad at it didn't hurt the Cubs.

 

What was Ohman?

[Soul]

Eyre being the only lefty last year and being bad at it didn't hurt the Cubs.

 

What was Ohman?

 

A bad dream :-&

[RedFlash]

Eyre being the only lefty last year and being bad at it didn't hurt the Cubs.

 

So just because a pitcher didn't hurt the Cubs, that should preclude the Cubs from upgraded the bullpen? Am I reading that right? IDK about you, but if the Cubs could land a Fuentes or a Marte to replace Eyre as the lefty specialist, and force Scotty into the garbage innings in blowouts, I would be happy. With that said, I wouldn't overpay for either guy.

[rawaction]

Eyre being the only lefty last year and being bad at it didn't hurt the Cubs.

 

So just because a pitcher didn't hurt the Cubs, that should preclude the Cubs from upgraded the bullpen? Am I reading that right? IDK about you, but if the Cubs could land a Fuentes or a Marte to replace Eyre as the lefty specialist, and force Scotty into the garbage innings in blowouts, I would be happy. With that said, I wouldn't overpay for either guy.

 

No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that's it's completely unnecessary. The Cubs don't need a late inning lefty when they have RHPs who dominate. Eyre was already used in garbage time last year. So was Wuertz for the most part. This year you have both of them, Hart, and whoever else makes the roster that are gonna get a lot of garbage innings. I'm saying that a trade for another reliever would slightly strengthen the late innings and would seriously upgrade the garbage innings, which makes the trade not worthwhile.

[Backtobanks]

I'd be in favor depending on the cost

 

CL - Wood

SU - Howry

SU - Marmol

MR - Marte

MR - Eyre

MR - Wuertz

LR - Hart

 

That is one nasty bullpen

I like.

 

Is it that much less nasty with Piggy or Lahey instead of Marte? Or with Leiber in long relief and Hart in short relief? Especially when whoever gets the final pen spot will be basically the 25th man on the roster? Is it that much less nasty to pay more in money and prospects to upgrade it?

 

That's the same point people make for not making the Roberts' trade. Getting Marte makes a good bullpen better. Of course, everything depends on cost.

 

It's completely different. You are talking about getting better for 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year. With Roberts you are getting a 9-inning/ 150 game per year player.

 

It's completely the same. You take a good situation and upgrade it to make it better. That 1 inning at a time, 70 games a year possibly could make a swing of 8-10 wins depending on the situation. I could argue the VORP of Roberts over DeRosa is less than the VORP of Marte over Pignatello or Cotts. I repeat, you make a good situation better in either case.

 

lol

 

Roberts in 2007 - 48.6

Derosa in 2007 - 21.3

 

Marte, in what was basically a career year, vorped 15.7

 

In other words, no.

 

And Piggy/Cotts VORP is probably negative 70.

Also, Eyre has more than his share of ups and downs in the bullpen. My original post was to check out the availability of Marte because he would add depth and a 2nd lefty to a good bullpen in order to give Lou more options. I agree that I wouldn't overpay for him, but it certainly wouldn't hurt having a good lefty in the bullpen regardless of the efficiency of the righties.

[imb]

And Piggy/Cotts VORP is probably negative 70.

 

no.

 

do you realize how easy it is to find someone who can just be average - even a lefty? Even if we did go into the season with Piggy in a serious role, and even if he was terrible, we'd just sub him out for someone who wasn't as bad.

 

I realize that this whole argument is a tangent, but no reliever is going to be allowed to be bad enough for a long enough time that Marte over him would make up the difference between Roberts and DeRosa.