Circle of trust

[Stratos]

This evolves throughout the season in the pen, we can discuss here.

--------------------------------

I'd say right now the circle is something like:  Keller, Palencia, Thielbar, Pomeranz, Hodge (when healthy, even with inconsistency)

Outside the circle = Merryweather, Roberts, Pressly (on the bubble), Flexen (bubble)

Surprised to see Pomeranz and Flexen haven't given up a run this season yet.  All the guys in the circle above (minus Hodge) have ERA's and FIP's under 3.

Edited May 23, 2025 by Stratos

[Brian707]

Bring back mega threads

[Stratos]

You wonder if they may eventually do something with Merryweather.  He's been bad, and he's not getting whiffs or chase (down dramatically since 2023).   If he can just be an  average reliever that's fine, but is he even capable of that?

Problem is it looks like he's out of options.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Stratos said:

You wonder if they may eventually do something with Merryweather.  He's been bad, and he's not getting whiffs or chase (down dramatically since 2023).   If he can just be an  average reliever that's fine, but is he even capable of that?

Problem is it looks like he's out of options.

DFA. Basically his Cub career is over. That is what they did. 

[Hot Sauce]

The average reliever has a relatively short shelf life. You get a year or two out of them before their effectiveness diminishes and their time is up. Then they become relegated to bouncing around teams who talk themselves into taking a flier trying to recapture that brief period of success on the hope that his stuff is "good enough" to replicate it again. Merryweather's time was up. 

Edited May 25, 2025 by Hot Sauce

[Stratos]

13 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

DFA. Basically his Cub career is over. That is what they did. 

Speak of the devil!

[Stratos]

Over the last month Pressly's numbers:

[CubUgly]

On 5/25/2025 at 4:12 AM, Hot Sauce said:

The average reliever has a relatively short shelf life. You get a year or two out of them before their effectiveness diminishes and their time is up. Then they become relegated to bouncing around teams who talk themselves into taking a flier trying to recapture that brief period of success on the hope that his stuff is "good enough" to replicate it again. Merryweather's time was up. 

Yeah, that's why I was really o.k. with not getting Tanner.  4-years at that money for a reliever that just two years previous had a plus 4 ERA season I was a bit uneasy about.   Our pen really seems to be shaping up though, how much credit do you think Zombro gets in this? He seemed instrumental in getting in and unlocking Keller.