Chicago Cubs Look to Young and New Faces for Bullpen in '09

The Cubs' bullpen in ‘08 was a mixed bag. To GM Jim Hendry’s credit, two of the more ugly items are gone from the ’09 version. Unfortunatley, one of the better arms has been let go.

First, the ugly. Bob Howry, the former Cubs set-up man, is now working for the Giants.  Howry struggled in the first half of the season—with a 4.50 ERA and a .293 Batting Average Against—and imploded in the second half with a 6.93 ERA and .336 average against.

It’s no surprise to see him gone. Michael Wuertz, a slider specialist, was traded to Oakland after four so-so years on the Northside.

Also gone, however, is one of the feel-good stories of last season. After not being tendered a contract, Kerry Wood, last year’s closer and 10-year Cub, was signed by the Indians in January. 

Losing an emotional and talented leader like Wood leaves a hole to be filled.  Woody saved 34 games for the Cubs, struck out 84 in 66.1 innings and was named to the NL All-Star squad.

Without question, the biggest issue facing the bullpen is the closer. Carlos Marmol put up extraordinary numbers last year in his role as the set-up man. The 26-year old righty struck out almost 12 batters per nine innings last year and led the Cubs in appearances. 

Despite his performance, reports indicate that Marmol will compete with newly acquired Kevin Gregg for the right to pitch the ninth this season.

The competition will lean heavily on Gregg’s left knee. After tearing a tendon late last season, the results were obvious. Gregg’s ERA’s in each month from April to July were under 3.00—most by good margins. After suffering the aforementioned knee injury, however, it ballooned to a hefty 10.12 in August. 

While Gregg won’t strike out nearly as many as Marmol, posting ERA’s like he did from April to July would earn him consideration for saves. Regardless, Gregg's acquisition gives the Cubs either a viable closer or a solid answer to their eighth-inning question.

Expect to see up and coming players fill out the rest of the ’09 pen. Jeff Samardzija impressed in the bullpen last season and will likely get a shot at repeating his success in this year’s campaign.

Jeffery Stevens, who was part of the trio of minor league pitchers exchanged for Mark DeRosa, may get a shot at the team as well. Stevens is a 25-year old right-hander with a penchant for strikeouts and a low WHIP. Despite his upside, he’ll probably begin the year in triple-A as he’s only logged one half-season at that level.

The bullpen’s makeup, as it tends to do, will rely on the how the rotation works itself out. Samardzija, Sean Marshall and Aaron Heilman-recently of the Seattle Mariners-are the three most likely candidates for the vacant fifth-starter job. The job is up for grabs, however, as Manager Lou Piniella may try Chad Gaudin and even Angel Guzman in that spot during Spring Training.

Rounding out the back end of the ‘pen will be the leftovers from the fifth starter competition and some combination of veteran Luis Vizcaino, Kevin Hart, or Jose Ascanio. Vizcaino came to the Cubs by way of trading Jason Marquis to the Rockies. 

Despite his MLB tenure, Vizcaino has had only four solid years in nine so this debate could go on into April.

The real trouble for this bullpen wears a familiar guise. It’s the same ’08 lineup fought—a heavy saturation of right-handedness. Currently, the Cubs have only three left-handers on the 40-man roster.

One of those is Ted Lilly who will be in the rotation. This leaves Marshall, a former starter/swing-man, and Neal Cotts as the only left-handed options out of the bullpen. 

Although Cotts played an integral part in the White Sox bringing Chicago its latest World Series title, his career on the north side of town has seen mixed reviews.

Marshall has seen nearly equal time starting and relieving in his three-year Cubs career and Piniella seems to value his ability to perform either role.

It’s almost assuredly because of this lack of left-handers that GM Jim Hendry has extended non-roster invitations to Spring Training to five southpaws. Most notable of the five is veteran Mike Stanton.

While the Cubs seem to be done adding hitters, their plans for the staff are yet to be seen. It’s doubtful that the Cubs are looking to trade—and pay—for a well-established lefty reliever. So, instead, look for the Cubs to add a cheap alternative through free agency...if they do anything.

A few serviceable lefties do remain on the market—Joe Biemel, Ricardo Rincon and even ex-Cub Will Ohman. For the right price, any one would be welcome if it they help bring the Cubs success in 2009.