Joe Beimel: The Cubs' Answer for a Left-Handed Specialist

Most Chicago Cubs fans will say the team's biggest pitching weakness is their lack of a left-handed relief pitcher.

The answer to that problem could be a phone call away. With two days remaining until spring training, Joe Beimel is still available on the open market. 

The 31-year-old Beimel appeared in 71 games with a 5-1 record and a 2.02 ERA for the Dodgers last year. Beimel did not allow a home run in 2008 and had an ERA of 1.17 against left-handed hitters. 

For now, the Cubs will look to Neal Cotts to be their left-handed specialist. With all due respect to the Lebanon, IL. native, Cotts is anything but a left-handed specialist. 

The 29-year-old was 0-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 50 games for the Cubs in 2008. Against left-handed hitters, Cotts had an ERA of 3.63 while giving up 18 hits in 17 innings and three home runs. Beimel is a better answer.

The other option the Cubs have is Sean Marshall. Marshall, who does his best work as a starter, will likely win the No. 5 spot in the rotation. In his last 26 starts, Marshall has compiled an ERA under 3.80. It's hard to think he will not win the spot...although, it is odd how he struggles against lefties. 

In 2008, he gave up nine runs in 18.1 innings against left-handed hitters, with a 4.42 ERA. Marshall is not exactly the guy that's going to come in a game and retire Ryan Howard. He's just not that type of pitcher.  

Some will say that it's not that important to have a left-handed specialist. I couldn't disagree more. It's all about the matchups. 

Take Luis Vizcaino, for example. I have full confidence in him and his nasty slider against right-handed hitters. In 28 innings, he compiled a very respectable 3.18 ERA against right-handed hitters, and in 17.2 innings he compiled a 8.66 ERA against left-handed hitters. I don't want Vizcaino anywhere near a left-handed bat.

Another example is Aaron Heilman. In 46 innings, Heilman had a 3.30 ERA against right-handed hitters and an 8.19 ERA against left-handers. 

Even Carlos Marmol struggled against lefties. Marmol gave up 22 runs against left-handed hitters in 36.1 innings and just four runs in 51 innings against right-handers.

The Cubs need a true left-handed specialist to balance out their right-hand-dominated bullpen. Joe Beimel could be the guy. If he hasen't already, general manager Jim Hendry needs to pick up the phone.