Cubs' Relief Pitchers

Years ago the major league bullpens were made up mainly of pitchers who
couldnt make it as starters. Some of them were younger guys waiting to
break into the rotation (For instance, when the Cubs got Ferguson Jenkins
from Philadelphia, he started out in the bullpen.). Some of them were
older, over-the-hill, starters. And the rest of them were fairly mediocre
pitchers who came up that way from the minors. They were not specialists,
as today, but they were inning-eaters who came in when the starter had a bad
day.

There were, of course, exceptions. But most relievers didnt stay with the
club long. They might have a couple of good years, but when they lost
effectiveness---as relievers do after one or two years---they were traded,
sent back down to the minors, or let go. New guys were brought in by trade
or from the minor league system. That was the nature of relief pitching.

Now, however---- and this is notable in the Cubs' case--- the team has some
of these relief pitchers locked in multi-year, multi-million dollar
contracts, and the manager must pitch them, even when they have lost their
effectiveness. So what can Piniella do? He is stuck with Eyre and Howry.
He can't just replace them with other pitchers brought up from the
minors---I think as he would like to do---guys who certainly wouldnt be any
worse than those two have been this year.

Perhaps in this day and age, it's impossible to expect that we can build a
bullpen without multiyear contracts. But it would sure make Piniella's life
easier if we could have. At least he was honest with us when he asked what
could he do except run those guys out there again.

I agree Claude but, Lou has shown that players that are not getting the
job done will be replaced with someone that he can count on. I believe
Howry will come around. Know Eyre maybe, he looks to be a little heavier
this year and Ohman has been too inconsistent. I did'nt like the Cotts for
Arradsma trade but, its to early to form a opinion on that one. I felt
that we gave away a pitcher with a much higher ceiling, then the one we
received. Well if it comes down to unloading one or more of these
reliefers it could come after the break. There will be several interested
Teams and we maybe able to get some good prospects in return.