Keener98

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

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.

Id just like some explanation why Eyre isnt being used AT ALL when the pen needs as many fresh arms that they can get. Hes been up since last Weds and still hasnt seen the field, yet hes warmed up probably 10 times.

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.

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.

Shocking. Do you disagree? Hes the manager he does have pretty much all the say about how many lefties and rightys he carries.

I agree, but i blame the way the bullpen is setup right now on Lou also. He could tell Hendry that he needs another RH in the pen at any time. His non use of Eyre also is to blame for the bullpen problems right now. On days when Samardzija cant pitch, that means we have 2 guys down there not available, not including whoever has been used the past few days. Quite honestly they either need to rectify this Eyre situation, or send Marshall down so he can stay stretched out(which is hard to do since Harden only goes 5-6 innings) and call up Wuertz, Ascanio, Ceda, or even Lieber. Carrying 3 lefties in the pen, and having a righty who cant really go on 2 consecutive days is just not smart. Something needs to be done

Who cares hes a fan, let him enjoy watching his favorite team.

Chad Gaudin for new RH setup guy anybody else with me?

Ok, I am really really glad we won last night, but it sure would be nice if Lou learned how to handle a bullpen. First off, he continues to throw Howry out there in crucial situations. With that said though, what in the sam hell was Bob Howry doing pitching to Russell Branyon last night? Seriously Lou, Russel Branyon has 14 AB's against LH pitchers this year, guess how many hits he has.....ZERO! Lou is lucky the club bailed his ass out last night, and is possibly talented enough to win in spite of him having no idea how to handle a pen. It sure would be nice if some of our Chicago media quit being scared of Lou, and would ask him some questions about some of his bullpen decisions.

I caught an artical earlier in the season on Kendall. Seems he has lazer eye surgery in the off season. Not sure if he knew he has eye problems or not, but it sure seems to have helped. I don't complain about Geo, but I do wish he was a little better on that. He's young though, plenty of time to learn.. Part of Sotos problem is Marquis completely forgets about runners all the time(not sure why when there are so many of them) and Lilly is extrememly slow to home. Id be interested to see a stat showing how many non throws Geo has had because he had absolutely no chance at the runner.

Ok, whats the deal with Scott? Hes been up since Weds, and has warmed up numerous times, but Lou wont use him. I would think with a pretty depleted pen like we have, there has to be some innings in there for him somewhere.

What was he saying? Nothing but praise over and over and over. Lous impressed big time

I wouldnt classify him as "stud" yet, but if you see his stuff, he has a possibility to be really good. He has some nasty stuff.

I wouldnt mind taking a flier on Derrek Lowe as a 4 or 5 as long as hes not outragous price wise.

Good win, great catch by Jimmy, and great outing by Samardja. However, I have to ask what the hell is Scott Eyre on this team for right now? Lou simply refuses to use him. He warms up, then Lou wont bring him in. What the hell is up

Oh look a Scott Eyre sighting. What Lou, you dont want to go to Howry yet?

Typical freaking Marquis. As soon as we score he comes out and gives up a HR. Go to hell Marquis.

Its a 3-1 count Marquis take the pitch you arent that good of a hitter moron.

Marquis, lol. What a joke

Huh? Hasnt he made 2 rehab starts?

How do you give up that many hits and not give up any ER's? Thats quite a feat.

Seems that pitching platoon is working out quite well for Mr Yost, huh?

Good anything to expose their pen even more.

Yeah, screw him. He only went 2-for-5 today. What a bum. How many months has it been since he hit an extra base hit? July 20 he had 2 doubles against Houston. Last homer? He's not a home run hitter so I don't see what the point is in asking this. Fine, then he needs to man up and play centerfield. Man up and play CF? Where the hell do you think he played today? Hes never once came out and said he wouldnt play CF, its been media speculation as to the reasoning he signed with the Cubs and not the Sox. Fukudome has seemed like a pretty good "team first" kind of guy. Hes said he doesnt care where he hits in the lineup, etc...