Official: "Lee delivers in the clutch post-game thread".

[Keener98]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

[Keener98]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

 

I havent advocated releasing Howry. However I have advocated for quite awhile now that he needs to quit being used in crucial situations, but Lou hasnt stopped. I really hope Howry can get turned around as he makes the bullpen really really damn good, but outside of 1 month hes really shown no signs of it this year. Lou seems to think hes going to just turn it around and hes been hoping for it since spring training. I just worry that if Howry is there to be used( which the way our bullpen is set up right now its pretty hard to avoid) Lou will keep putting him out there in meaningful parts of the game.

[dew1679666265]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

 

I havent advocated releasing Howry. However I have advocated for quite awhile now that he needs to quit being used in crucial situations, but Lou hasnt stopped. I really hope Howry can get turned around as he makes the bullpen really really damn good, but outside of 1 month hes really shown no signs of it this year. Lou seems to think hes going to just turn it around and hes been hoping for it since spring training. I just worry that if Howry is there to be used( which the way our bullpen is set up right now its pretty hard to avoid) Lou will keep putting him out there in meaningful parts of the game.

 

I'll be shocked if Howry sees another critical moment until he gets turned around (if that happens) when Wood gets back.

 

Right now, Howry almost has to be used in seventh inning roles because our seventh inning guys (Shark, Gaudin, etc) are pitching the eighth and our eighth inning guy (Marmol) is pitching the ninth. Once Woody gets back, everybody will move back an inning and Howry, until he returns to form (if he does), will be slotted into the sixth.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

 

I havent advocated releasing Howry. However I have advocated for quite awhile now that he needs to quit being used in crucial situations, but Lou hasnt stopped. I really hope Howry can get turned around as he makes the bullpen really really damn good, but outside of 1 month hes really shown no signs of it this year. Lou seems to think hes going to just turn it around and hes been hoping for it since spring training. I just worry that if Howry is there to be used( which the way our bullpen is set up right now its pretty hard to avoid) Lou will keep putting him out there in meaningful parts of the game.

 

Okay, but I think the point of the post you quoted was revolving around the release of Howry. It makes all the sense in the world to demote him. It probably isn't a great idea to release him though.

[Derwood]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

[dew1679666265]

Okay, but I think the point of the post you quoted was revolving around the release of Howry. It makes all the sense in the world to demote him. It probably isn't a great idea to release him though.

 

I agree with this completely.

[Soul]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

You're right. So he's rotating guys in and out of those 3 roles. The newest arrivals to the grinder are Gaudin and Shark. Howry's due to be rotated out.

 

It's not ideal. But look at Milwaukee's BP. They've got really nothing in any role to speak of.

[Keener98]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

 

I havent advocated releasing Howry. However I have advocated for quite awhile now that he needs to quit being used in crucial situations, but Lou hasnt stopped. I really hope Howry can get turned around as he makes the bullpen really really damn good, but outside of 1 month hes really shown no signs of it this year. Lou seems to think hes going to just turn it around and hes been hoping for it since spring training. I just worry that if Howry is there to be used( which the way our bullpen is set up right now its pretty hard to avoid) Lou will keep putting him out there in meaningful parts of the game.

 

Okay, but I think the point of the post you quoted was revolving around the release of Howry. It makes all the sense in the world to demote him. It probably isn't a great idea to release him though.

 

Yea I get that, but if the Cubs decided to DFA Howry, I dont think it could be called kneejerk. Hes in the last year of his deal, and has pitched horribly for the entire season except for 1 month. Thats not being kneejerk, in my opinion.

[Keener98]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

 

I understand hes trying to make do right now, but there is no reason at all for Eyre to be banished right now. Hes done nothing to justify it at all

[Derwood]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

 

I understand hes trying to make do right now, but there is no reason at all for Eyre to be banished right now. Hes done nothing to justify it at all

 

except the first time he is brought in and gives up a run, you'll be the first one jumping in to question the move. I'm not sure what you would do differently.

[Keener98]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

 

I understand hes trying to make do right now, but there is no reason at all for Eyre to be banished right now. Hes done nothing to justify it at all

 

except the first time he is brought in and gives up a run, you'll be the first one jumping in to question the move. I'm not sure what you would do differently.

 

 

When your pen is taxed and you have a guy who should have a fresh arm, he needs to be used plain and simple.

[Derwood]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

 

I understand hes trying to make do right now, but there is no reason at all for Eyre to be banished right now. Hes done nothing to justify it at all

 

except the first time he is brought in and gives up a run, you'll be the first one jumping in to question the move. I'm not sure what you would do differently.

 

 

When your pen is taxed and you have a guy who should have a fresh arm, he needs to be used plain and simple.

 

sure, but when he gives up 3 runs then you'll say "see, Lou can't use a pen because Eyre is rusty." I'm just saying there are built-in excuses for every failed bullpen situation

[YearofDaCubs]

Bob Howry has a 12.60 ERA since the all-star break..How is this piece of trash still on the team? How is management that stupid to let him pitch in crucial situations and just still being on this team??

 

Because thankfully, management isn't kneejerk or hyperbolic.

Kneejerk? There is a whole seasons worth of stats that show Bob Howry has been a pretty terrible pitcher this season. Hes giving up hits at an alarming rate all season, and he has now turned into the Ryan Franklin of the Cubs.

 

Regardless, an outright release probably is not the answer. Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract. There is some reason for hope that he can have another stretch of effectiveness soon. He looked okay against the bad RH bats, Lou never should have let him face the tough lefty. The Cubs have other minor league arms, but none of them are surefire bets. They are probably better off keeping Howry in a mop-up type role, or when needed in 6th/7th innings, which also keeps those minor league arms available in case of injury.

I am of the opinion that Howry was worth his contract but his fat buddy Eyre, not so much.

[Keener98]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

 

I understand hes trying to make do right now, but there is no reason at all for Eyre to be banished right now. Hes done nothing to justify it at all

 

except the first time he is brought in and gives up a run, you'll be the first one jumping in to question the move. I'm not sure what you would do differently.

 

 

When your pen is taxed and you have a guy who should have a fresh arm, he needs to be used plain and simple.

 

sure, but when he gives up 3 runs then you'll say "see, Lou can't use a pen because Eyre is rusty." I'm just saying there are built-in excuses for every failed bullpen situation

 

Thats ridiculous, and even still he had Cotts and Marshall who werent rusty to face Branyon.

[jersey cubs fan]

sure, but when he gives up 3 runs then you'll say "see, Lou can't use a pen because Eyre is rusty." I'm just saying there are built-in excuses for every failed bullpen situation

 

Built-in excuses for Lou? Yes, it's stupid to keep a reliever on the active roster but not use him, in part because it's easy to get rusty over those long breaks. Why would he be wrong for criticizing Lou about Eyre being rusty?

[jersey cubs fan]

I am of the opinion that Howry was worth his contract but his fat buddy Eyre, not so much.

 

I am of the opinion that no middle relievers are worth 3-year contracts. Howry was good the past two years, but the contract was no doubt ill-advised. It appears that Jim is becoming more and more attached to cheaper bullpen labor, so hopefully he avoids these silly deals in the future.

[shnsajax]

I am of the opinion that Howry was worth his contract but his fat buddy Eyre, not so much.

 

I am of the opinion that no middle relievers are worth 3-year contracts. Howry was good the past two years, but the contract was no doubt ill-advised. It appears that Jim is becoming more and more attached to cheaper bullpen labor, so hopefully he avoids these silly deals in the future.

 

At the moment he was signed it was very much needed.

[jersey cubs fan]

I am of the opinion that Howry was worth his contract but his fat buddy Eyre, not so much.

 

I am of the opinion that no middle relievers are worth 3-year contracts. Howry was good the past two years, but the contract was no doubt ill-advised. It appears that Jim is becoming more and more attached to cheaper bullpen labor, so hopefully he avoids these silly deals in the future.

 

At the moment he was signed it was very much needed.

 

Because the 2006 team was in desperate need of a veteran presence in the bullpen to prevent a 100-loss season?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I don't particularly trust Wuertz, Ascanio or Hart in that situation either. Lou is trying to make do. He can't run with a 3 man pen all year

 

Is just too bad that Carmen Pignietello fell off.

[TruffleShuffle]

Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract.

 

howry has at the very least performed up to the amount of his contract, and probably has outperformed it.

[chuckywang]

Anybody have Pat and Ron's highlights?

[jersey cubs fan]

Howry has had stretches where he's sucked throughout his ill-advised contract.

 

howry has at the very least performed up to the amount of his contract, and probably has outperformed it.

 

Not sure how you can figure that. He's very much on pace to absolutely suck for 33% of the contract's duration.

[Derwood]

sure, but when he gives up 3 runs then you'll say "see, Lou can't use a pen because Eyre is rusty." I'm just saying there are built-in excuses for every failed bullpen situation

 

Built-in excuses for Lou? Yes, it's stupid to keep a reliever on the active roster but not use him, in part because it's easy to get rusty over those long breaks. Why would he be wrong for criticizing Lou about Eyre being rusty?

 

he would be right, i'm just saying that Keener98 is going to complain either way. Either he doesn't put him in and Lou is dumb, or he puts him in and Lou is dumb

[jersey cubs fan]

sure, but when he gives up 3 runs then you'll say "see, Lou can't use a pen because Eyre is rusty." I'm just saying there are built-in excuses for every failed bullpen situation

 

Built-in excuses for Lou? Yes, it's stupid to keep a reliever on the active roster but not use him, in part because it's easy to get rusty over those long breaks. Why would he be wrong for criticizing Lou about Eyre being rusty?

 

he would be right, i'm just saying that Keener98 is going to complain either way. Either he doesn't put him in and Lou is dumb, or he puts him in and Lou is dumb

 

You are assuming a lot there. I don't think it's fair to say he's going to complain either way, but even if he did, he'd be right. Why can't you complain when a manager does something stupid? If a manager doesn't use a reliever he has available, that's stupid, both because he shouldn't have been pitching then, and because it may cause him to lose effectiveness whenever he is finally used again.