Will we live to regret Dempster signing?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Right now the Cubs have the following arms to use out of the pen in addition to Dempster: Ohman, Hill, Wuertz, Wellemeyer, Novoa, Van Buren, and possibly Mitre or Williams. If they pick up his option, they also have Williamson.

 

That's a lot of arms. Some of those guys are quality; some not so much.

 

I think, though, that if Dotel were signed, we have enough arms until he is ready. Reports have him already throwing and saying he'll be ready in spring training.

 

Once he's healthy, I think a bullpen of Dempster, Dotel, Williamson, Ohman, Hill, and Wuertz/Novoa could be very, very good.

[YearofDaCubs]

Right now the Cubs have the following arms to use out of the pen in addition to Dempster: Ohman, Hill, Wuertz, Wellemeyer, Novoa, Van Buren, and possibly Mitre or Williams. If they pick up his option, they also have Williamson.

 

That's a lot of arms. Some of those guys are quality; some not so much.

 

I think, though, that if Dotel were signed, we have enough arms until he is ready. Reports have him already throwing and saying he'll be ready in spring training.

 

Once he's healthy, I think a bullpen of Dempster, Dotel, Williamson, Ohman, Hill, and Wuertz/Novoa could be very, very good.

If healthy, I agree it would be an excellent bullpen.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Is Mota available as a FA??

[JeffH]

Is Mota available as a FA??

 

No.

[goonys evil twin]

Once he's healthy, I think a bullpen of Dempster, Dotel, Williamson, Ohman, Hill, and Wuertz/Novoa could be very, very good.

 

Once he's healthy that could be very very good, but Williamson would also have to be healthy, and the others would have to avoid implosion. That's pretty much a crapshoot bullpen with upside. There's no telling how SW or OD will pitch next season.

[Neuby]

Is Mota available as a FA??

 

http://kmbumb.people.wm.edu/roster/06agency.html

according to that site he is and I've seen his name tossed around here a bit.

[JeffH]

Guillermo Mota is third time arb eligible this offseason. He's not a free agent.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Jeff's right.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Is Hasegawa at Seattle a name to consider for the Pen? H eis listed as a FA.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is Hasegawa at Seattle a name to consider for the Pen? H eis listed as a FA.

 

He has a team option. He's not terrible, but aside from a pretty good WHIP there isn't a lot to like.

[JeffH]

Howry, Seanez, Witasick among free agents.

 

Reitsma, Vizcaino, Riske, Mota among arb eligible trade candidates.

 

I'm sure there are others.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Right now the Cubs have the following arms to use out of the pen in addition to Dempster: Ohman, Hill, Wuertz, Wellemeyer, Novoa, Van Buren, and possibly Mitre or Williams. If they pick up his option, they also have Williamson.

 

That's a lot of arms. Some of those guys are quality; some not so much.

 

I think, though, that if Dotel were signed, we have enough arms until he is ready. Reports have him already throwing and saying he'll be ready in spring training.

 

Once he's healthy, I think a bullpen of Dempster, Dotel, Williamson, Ohman, Hill, and Wuertz/Novoa could be very, very good.

 

Yes it could. One other point about next year's pen, for the love of God Dusty you only need SIX relievers.

[YearofDaCubs]

Right now the Cubs have the following arms to use out of the pen in addition to Dempster: Ohman, Hill, Wuertz, Wellemeyer, Novoa, Van Buren, and possibly Mitre or Williams. If they pick up his option, they also have Williamson.

 

That's a lot of arms. Some of those guys are quality; some not so much.

 

I think, though, that if Dotel were signed, we have enough arms until he is ready. Reports have him already throwing and saying he'll be ready in spring training.

 

Once he's healthy, I think a bullpen of Dempster, Dotel, Williamson, Ohman, Hill, and Wuertz/Novoa could be very, very good.

 

Yes it could. One other point about next year's pen, for the love of God Dusty you only need SIX relievers.

I cant believe that last year we had 12 pitchers the entire season. He better not pull that crap again, especially if Macias is your first option off the bench.

[Cubzfan64]

I'm really torn on the Dempster contract - I'm happy to have him on the team, but imho this is definitely a gamble financially. If he's truly over arm problems and his success last year as our closer wasn't a fluke it should turn out ok, but I really wonder if we overpaid a guy who should have had to prove himself a little more.

 

All I know is it would be nice for a change if something like this signing works out for us.

[Andy]

I'm really torn on the Dempster contract - I'm happy to have him on the team, but imho this is definitely a gamble financially. If he's truly over arm problems and his success last year as our closer wasn't a fluke it should turn out ok, but I really wonder if we overpaid a guy who should have had to prove himself a little more.

 

All I know is it would be nice for a change if something like this signing works out for us.

I don't see what else Dempster could have proven. He closed for 4 1/2 months out of the 6-month season, converted 31 of 33 saves, and had an ERA under 2.00 as a relief pitcher. He was legitimately one of the best closers in baseball. Yes, he walked some people and got himself into jams from time to time but the great thing is that unlike LaBlown Save Hawkins, he had the mental toughness and extra pitches to get out of those jams, then come back and pitch well again the next day.

 

If you're waiting for someone to jump out of the Cubs' system and turn into Brad Lidge, Eric Gagne or Mariano Rivera, you're gonna wait a very long time. IMO Dempster will end up being the best closer the Cubs have had since the Shooter in 1998.

[NoDak]

I don't foresee "regretting" Dempster's contract. While he may not repeat his numbers from 05 (but he also might) having a guy who had one season like he did signed to an average of $5M/yr over 3 years is unlikely to be too much of a millstone. $5M contracts don't kill budgets, $15M contracts do! Even if he struggles with an ERA approaching 5.00 there will be teams looking for a "proven" closer (defined as: having one year of saves greater than 25) willing to bite. At worst we have to trade him and get little in return. At best, we have a solid closer for the next 3 years. Over all, I think that is a fair bargain!