Chasing Cubtober: Target Practice (Relief Pitching & Outfielders)

by LMedina86

Good pitching beats good hitting, especially in the later innings. That is why having a good bullpen is crucial to having a successful ballclub.

The Chicago Cubs should be returning most of their bullpen in 2008.

Closer Ryan Dempster converted 28 saves in 31 chances, despite his struggles in non-save situations. Bob Howry posted a 3.32 ERA and a 3.78 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Carlos Marmol struck out 96 batters in 69.3 innings. Howry and Marmol will likely enter ’08 as manager Lou Piniella’s top set up men.

Kerry Wood is one of the more intriguing free agents available on the market. He put up a 3.33 ERA along with 24 strikeouts in 24.3 innings.  He could leave the Cubs if someone offers him a spot in their starting rotation, but his health might limit him to bullpen duty. Wood could be a valuable asset to the Cubs bullpen next year.

If the Cubs are to improve any spot in the bullpen it would likely be the closer’s role. As good as Dempster has been, he is shaky at best and doesn’t have the faith of the fans—and sometimes the manager. Dempster could be moved to the rotation, or even shipped out in a trade.

There are only two quality closers out there to be had this off-season.  The Cubs could head up the interstate and sign Brewers closer Francisco Cordero, who has posted 60 saves in a year and a half in Milwaukee.

However, the prized closer of this off-season is the future Hall-of-Famer Mariano Rivera. Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes that Rivera could use the Cubs as negotiating leverage, citing that he would be an upgrade compared to Dempster and Piniella’s Yankee ties.

Jeremy Affeldt and J.C. Romero are two quality left-handed specialists, though both have issues walking batters, which doesn’t sit well with Piniella.  The Cubs don’t need another right-handed power pitcher out of the bullpen; the Cubs have guys like Billy Petrick and slider specialist Michael Wuertz who can fit that bill.

As for the outfield, that is where the Cubs can make some major moves in an attempt to better the Cubs.

Their top priority should be Kosuke Fukudome, who plays for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald describes Fukudome, 30, as a “left-handed hitting on-base machine,” which is something the Cubs desperately need.

In 2007, Fukudome posted a .443 OBP in only 81 games, due to elbow surgery. In 2006, he posted a .438 OBP and in ’05 he posted a .430. You would think that some of that would have would have to translate when he comes to America.

Other than Fukudome, outfield is arguably the deepest position in the free agency pool. Center field is where the best free agents are, including Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand. The Cubs would be wise to look at Kenny Lofton in center field. Lofton would be fine choice as a stop-gap until Felix Pie is ready.

As for left field, if his name wasn’t Barry Bonds, I’d be advocating for the Cubs to get him. In an alternate universe, the Cubs could use Bonds and Matt Murton in a platoon. In 2007, Bonds posted a 1.073 OPS against right handed pitching, while Murton posted a .892 OPS against lefties.

A dark-horse who might find himself in the Cubs outfield next year is Carl Crawford. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have themselves a logjam in the outfield and could get the biggest return if they dealt Crawford. The Cubs would likely have to include several top prospects, but Paul Sullivan thinks it could be a possibility.

Luis C. Medina covers the Cubs beat for ArmchairGM.