Will we live to regret Dempster signing?

[WrigleyinEngland]

If Steady Eddie hits the FA market along with Ryan and Wagner might we regret the 3 year deal??

[goonys evil twin]

I'm comfortable with Dempster and either Ryan or Wagner on the same team.

 

And I'd consider giving Guardado the same deal Dempster got. That's a solid 1/2 combo.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I'm comfortable with Dempster and either Ryan or Wagner on the same team.

 

And I'd consider giving Guardado the same deal Dempster got. That's a solid 1/2 combo.

 

The 3 year/15 million deal?

[LoneStarCubFan]

If Steady Eddie hits the FA market along with Ryan and Wagner might we regret the 3 year deal??

 

No. If anything it makes it easier to afford to sign Everyday Eddie to set-up. This wouldn't be a bad bullpen

 

Dempster

Guardado

Wuertz

Ohman

Novoa

Williamson

[YearofDaCubs]

I think signing Dempster was an excellent move. I still think we need to beef up our bullpen but signing him was a great start. I would love to have BJ Ryan and I'm surprised Baltimore allowed him to hit FA although he will get a lot of cash. I'm not opposed to signing Eddie G as a setup man, although I am concerned about his age.

[YearofDaCubs]

If Steady Eddie hits the FA market along with Ryan and Wagner might we regret the 3 year deal??

 

No. If anything it makes it easier to afford to sign Everyday Eddie to set-up. This wouldn't be a bad bullpen

 

Dempster

Guardado

Wuertz

Ohman

Novoa

Williamson

If Williamson is healthy that is a VERY solid bullpen.

[TheDude]

Why would a reputable closer willingly "step-down" from his established role as closer to take less money and be a set-up man?

 

I've seen this idea in a few threads now (Guardado, Wagner, Ryan, etc), and I don't understand why anybody thinks it'll fly.

 

The Cubs won't sign another closer at closer money to set-up. Established closers are going to want to close for whatever team signs them.

[goonys evil twin]

Why would a reputable closer willingly "step-down" from his established role as closer to take less money and be a set-up man?

 

I've seen this idea in a few threads now (Guardado, Wagner, Ryan, etc), and I don't understand why anybody thinks it'll fly.

 

The Cubs won't sign another closer at closer money to set-up. Established closers are going to want to close for whatever team signs them.

 

Sign another closer to close.

 

If you offer Wagner or Ryan something around 3/30, they'll sign, regardless of Dempster's presence.

[TheDude]

Why would a reputable closer willingly "step-down" from his established role as closer to take less money and be a set-up man?

 

I've seen this idea in a few threads now (Guardado, Wagner, Ryan, etc), and I don't understand why anybody thinks it'll fly.

 

The Cubs won't sign another closer at closer money to set-up. Established closers are going to want to close for whatever team signs them.

 

Sign another closer to close.

 

If you offer Wagner or Ryan something around 3/30, they'll sign, regardless of Dempster's presence.

You really think the Cubs would do that to Demspter? Trust him with a role. Watch him kick tail in that role. Reward him with a new contract to continue in that role. Then do a 180 on him?

 

I'm sure Dempster is a pro, and would take it in stride, but I don't see Hendry as that type of GM.

[Larry Horse]

Why would a reputable closer willingly "step-down" from his established role as closer to take less money and be a set-up man?

 

I've seen this idea in a few threads now (Guardado, Wagner, Ryan, etc), and I don't understand why anybody thinks it'll fly.

 

The Cubs won't sign another closer at closer money to set-up. Established closers are going to want to close for whatever team signs them.

 

Sign another closer to close.

 

If you offer Wagner or Ryan something around 3/30, they'll sign, regardless of Dempster's presence.

You really think the Cubs would do that to Demspter? Trust him with a role. Watch him kick tail in that role. Reward him with a new contract to continue in that role. Then do a 180 on him?

 

I'm sure Dempster is a pro, and would take it in stride, but I don't see Hendry as that type of GM.

 

Agreed. I think the closer issue is settled.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't think Guardado wants to be a set-up man, which is what he'd be with the Cubs. I don't care for Wagner since I'm afraid of injury risk/age and don't think his next contract will be worth it. I'd have prefered BJ Ryan to Dempster, but Dempster comes at a better value.

 

Concentrate on set-up men - Howry and Sauerbeck/Eyre is what I want. If someone like Guardado is interested in setting up, then I'd make him a priority.

[Neuby]

Have we seen anywhere that Hendry has given or named Dempster the closer guy? Dempster seems like a very team first guy. Now that he's healthy with his first long term deal I don't forsee him complaining if a guy like Wagner got the closer spot.

I've also read where BJ Ryan isn't against setting up for the right team in the right situation.

Everday Eddie is another guy that might be willing to set up.

Edited October 27, 2005 by Neuby

[goonys evil twin]

Why would a reputable closer willingly "step-down" from his established role as closer to take less money and be a set-up man?

 

I've seen this idea in a few threads now (Guardado, Wagner, Ryan, etc), and I don't understand why anybody thinks it'll fly.

 

The Cubs won't sign another closer at closer money to set-up. Established closers are going to want to close for whatever team signs them.

 

Sign another closer to close.

 

If you offer Wagner or Ryan something around 3/30, they'll sign, regardless of Dempster's presence.

You really think the Cubs would do that to Demspter? Trust him with a role. Watch him kick tail in that role. Reward him with a new contract to continue in that role. Then do a 180 on him?

 

I'm sure Dempster is a pro, and would take it in stride, but I don't see Hendry as that type of GM.

 

Well no, I don't think Hendry is going to do what's best for the team, so I wouldn't expect him to do this. But this wouldn't be "doing anything to" Dempster. They're still paying him, and he still gets to pitch. It's the team's fault if they're dumb enough to get caught up in who gets credit for the actual save. Pitching is pitching and the Cubs need it. Ozzie didn't have a problem switching out closers whenever possible. He had a guy with a 2.00 ERA and replaced him with an unproven kid. Dempster had a nice save % and total, but that's why they went hard after Alfonseca before. The team would be better with Dempster and Ryan/Wagner/Guardado than they'd be with Dempster and another mediocre reliever.

[Sabermetrician]

Dempster was very good as a reliever two years ago and almost lights out (SV/OPP) last year. Had Dusty not misused him as a starter early on in the season, his numbers would look excellent and I think a lot of other teams would be interested as well. We gave Dempster close to what he would've gotten on the open market, and I have no problem with that.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I've also ready where BJ Ryan isn't against set up for the right team in the right situation.

 

Wow. I'd love that.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Given the track record of the clown filling out the line-up card, here's what I see happening with the Cubs' bullpen in the offseason and in 2006.

 

1. Hendry signs a top-flight set-up guy who has never been a closer.

 

2. Dempster struggles a little bit the first two or three weeks of the season.

 

3. The Village Idiot makes the set-up guy the closer because "you have to go with the hot hand."

 

4. The set-up guy turned closer can't handle the job.

 

5. The Village Idiot sticks with him because "he'll get hot."

 

6. Dempster is less than stellar as the new set-up guy.

 

7. Michael Wuertz doesn't make his first relief appearance until May 1.

 

8. Scott Williamson's elbow explodes on a 35-degree night at Wrigley in a game the Cubs are trailing 15-1.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Dotel please.

[TheDude]

Given the track record of the clown filling out the line-up card, here's what I see happening with the Cubs' bullpen in the offseason and in 2006.

 

1. Hendry signs a top-flight set-up guy who has never been a closer.

 

2. Dempster struggles a little bit the first two or three weeks of the season.

 

3. The Village Idiot makes the set-up guy the closer because "you have to go with the hot hand."

 

4. The set-up guy turned closer can't handle the job.

Are you kidding?

 

How do you suppose most guys become closers...they're just born into it? No, typically they are set-up men first, or in rarer cases converted starters or dominant college closers.

 

Asking Hawkins to close the first time was acceptable. Going back to the well after his failures was not. Same for remlinger in the few times he was asked.

 

If Dempster falters for the first two months 2006, are you suggesting Dusty is an idiot by turning to a lights-out set-up guy to fill the role?

[AAApittsburgh]

Given the track record of the clown filling out the line-up card, here's what I see happening with the Cubs' bullpen in the offseason and in 2006.

 

1. Hendry signs a top-flight set-up guy who has never been a closer.

 

2. Dempster struggles a little bit the first two or three weeks of the season.

 

3. The Village Idiot makes the set-up guy the closer because "you have to go with the hot hand."

 

4. The set-up guy turned closer can't handle the job.

I don't know about that. Dusty is pretty loyal. Even if Dempster is struggling, he'll most likely remain the closer.

[Andy]

Ozzie didn't have a problem switching out closers whenever possible. He had a guy with a 2.00 ERA and replaced him with an unproven kid.

That was an idiotic move by Guillen. The fact that it worked out perfectly for him (like all his other moves this year) does not change the fact that demoting a lights-out closer is a stupid idea.

[YearofDaCubs]

Dotel please.

I'm all for Dotel but I wonder how effective he will be in the beginning?

[XZero771679666304]

Dotel please.

I'm all for Dotel but I wonder how effective he will be in the beginning?

 

Will he even be pitching before June?

[YearofDaCubs]

Ozzie didn't have a problem switching out closers whenever possible. He had a guy with a 2.00 ERA and replaced him with an unproven kid.

That was an idiotic move by Guillen. The fact that it worked out perfectly for him (like all his other moves this year) does not change the fact that demoting a lights-out closer is a stupid idea.

That's not how it happened. Hermanson had serious back issues and lost his effectivness. He could not barely pitch let alone close.

[Neuby]

Dotel please.

 

I have no problem going after Dotel but I would rather count on him in May or June and go get a guy like Ryan, Gordon, FROD, Mota, ect and have Dotel waiting in the wings. I still see Dotel getting a deal like Dempster got off a surgery. With the money the Cubs have to spend they can afford to sign a big time set up man and have Dotel as the insurance policy.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Given the track record of the clown filling out the line-up card, here's what I see happening with the Cubs' bullpen in the offseason and in 2006.

 

1. Hendry signs a top-flight set-up guy who has never been a closer.

 

2. Dempster struggles a little bit the first two or three weeks of the season.

 

3. The Village Idiot makes the set-up guy the closer because "you have to go with the hot hand."

 

4. The set-up guy turned closer can't handle the job.

Are you kidding?

 

How do you suppose most guys become closers...they're just born into it? No, typically they are set-up men first, or in rarer cases converted starters or dominant college closers.

 

Asking Hawkins to close the first time was acceptable. Going back to the well after his failures was not. Same for remlinger in the few times he was asked.

 

If Dempster falters for the first two months 2006, are you suggesting Dusty is an idiot by turning to a lights-out set-up guy to fill the role?

 

I'm suggesting you can always count on Dusty to do the wrong thing.