Cubs Closer

[United_I_Stand]

Lets accept the fact, Ryan Dempster sucks. 24-9 saves to blown saves last year, a 1.50 plus WHIP and a 4.80 ERA - both right in line with his career (and not anomalous numbers).

Wood would be great - if he could stay healthy, and if he can make the change to being a releiver and pitch back to back days. For him to get the job, realistically, he has to first prove he can be a durable releiver, so thats not happening until he gets through a few months at least.

Which leads me to my question; why is Howry not the cubs closer? I don't follow the cubs particularily - so I'm just looking at the numbers and wondering why a pitcher, who looks head and shoulders above the rest this point, isn't the man?

So what have I missed?

[tgalv]

problem is howry is not that good either.

[Niffoc4]

problem is howry is not that good either.

What makes you say that? Here's his numbers from last year:
ERA: 3.17 WHIP 1.13 K/BB 4.18... in 76 innings with 71 k's

In 2005 he had
ERA 2.47 WHIP .89 K/bb 3.00 in 73 innings with 48 k's. I'd say that's quite a bit better than Dempster... and actually pretty good.

[A2J]

problem is howry is not that good either.

Better than Dempster.

[mrkrab2003]

problem is howry is not that good either.

Somebody needs to do their homework if they are claiming howry isnt that good.

Dempster has looked pretty good this spring, however he isnt going to have the long leash he had under dusty. I would keep a close eye on this situation especially since the cubs are going to be one of the top teams in baseball this yr.

[swyck]

problem is howry is not that good either.

Insightful analysis.

[teddy ballgame]

problem is howry is not that good either.

<pre> Team IP BB K ERA WHIP BAA
2004 CLE 42.2 12 39 2.74 1.15 .228
2005 CLE 73.0 16 48 2.47 0.89 .191
2006 CHC 76.2 17 71 3.17 1.13 .245</pre>

He sucked in Boston for the brief time he was here, but since then he's been a very reliable reliever.

[Diggs]

problem is howry is not that good either.

Boooooo!

[BillyHallDisciple]

From what I recall, Piniella's not known for messing around with closer-by-committee, and he doesn't have much patience with incompetence... so we may see a change sooner than later.

[negola_d]

From what I recall, Piniella's not known for messing around with closer-by-committee, and he doesn't have much patience with incompetence... so we may see a change sooner than later.

I must agree.
We'll see Howry closing in May.