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Harden as Cubs Closer?

Nolan Thomas Written by Nolan Thomas, Saturday June 06 2009
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A couple of years ago the Cubs took one of their most renowned and successful starting pitchers and because of constant injuries and time on the DL, made him the closer.

That pitcher was Kerry Wood. The move was made for a couple of reasons. First, when Wood was on, he had nasty unhittable stuff on the mound. Second, his shoulder and other various injuries just could not hold up to the vigorous strain of being a starting pitcher.

 

For both Wood and the Cubs, it was a good move. He performed admirably as a closer and only had to throw 3-5 innings in any given week. It put a lot less strain on his shoulder, added years to his career, and gave him a chance to use his repertoire of pitches only one time in a game giving him a big advantage over the other team’s hitters.

 

Now let us move forward to this season. Wood was released by the Cubs this past offseason because they did not want to sign him to a multiple year contract. It was a money thing I guess.

 

So to replace him, the Cubs signed last years Marlins closer, Kevin Gregg to take over the closers job. Although Gregg has had only two blown saves this season for the Cubs, he just does not put fear into the opposing teams hitters and always seems to get into trouble and not make closing out the game an easy task.

 

I do not believe that his performance so far is what the Cubs brass envisioned when they signed him.

 

Carlos Marmol has nasty stuff when he is on, but this year he has not been the dominant hold pitcher that he was last season. This year he is reminding of the Cubs version of Rex Grossman with “Good Carlos, Bad Carlos,” not knowing which one you are going to get from day to day.

 

The only pitcher in the Cubs bullpen that has pitched well with any sort of consistency is Angel Guzman. None of the other relief pitchers is even worth mentioning. Inconsistency has been their middle names for cryin’-out-loud.

 

If anything, the Cubs need to be more consistent at closing out games. If they do not turn it around quickly, this year will no doubt be another wait till next year.   

 

Now to my proposal, make Rich Harden the closer.

 

Now before you go and get your britches tied up in a knot, let me explain my reasoning.

 

Harden is also another Cubs starter who has great stuff, pinpoint control, and the first time through the order can just dominate hitters. Throughout his career, he has also had a very difficult time staying healthy and on the mound on a consistent basis.

 

Throughout his career, Harden averages more then a strikeout per inning and his strikeout to walk ratio is extremely close to 3:1.

 

He has pinpoint control with his fastball and that ability makes his changeup that hitters buckle at the knees or swing the bat before the ball even reaches the plate. He definitely has top-notch stuff.

 

He also seems to have his most success pitching the first time through the other teams batting order. Although he can still be effective the second time through the order, it is not close to his numbers the first time through. In the first three innings, opposing batting averages are below .150 during the past three seasons.

 

I know, I know, who would fill the spot in the rotation? Randy Wells has been more then adequate so far, and the Cubs could still pick up another starter, maybe Jake Peavy is still a possibility, or I was thinking maybe even Tom Glavine. He still wants to pitch, and could be a good veteran left-hander to add into the mix.

 

In contemplating this proposal, another Cubs starter from the past came to mind. He had pinpoint control, a good changeup, and a good slider. He also dominated hitters the first time through the batting order but had trouble after that. He had always been a successful starter and even while he was the Cubs, I had the thought that because of this, he would make a great closer.

 

This pitcher went to the Oakland A’s, who unknowingly took my advice and made him a closer. He is now in the Hall of Fame as one of the best closers in the history of baseball. His name is Dennis Eckersley.    

 

I know that the Cubs will probably never even think about doing this, but the idea is certainly worth examining.

 


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2 comments


0 up down 0
MC HomerMC Homer, over 2 years ago said:

The only thing left to make this a reality, Harden stays healthy. Since that won't happen... As for Billy Beane, isn't that what he always does? Him and his team, you know, the "other guys" across the bay, are simply a daycare for players to hone their skills. Once they become a good player, Beane will trade them for more young kids who will ultimately amount to nothing. Unless you are Eric Chavez, then you get a multi-year deal worth more than anyone in that franchise has ever received, but that made sense because he's always on the DL (not "down low"). Makes tons of sense, if you're a blind moron.

0 up down 0
HeegosHeegos, over 2 years ago said:

I had the same thought before the A's traded Harden. I always loved to watch him pitch, but it hurt even more every time he got hurt. I think he could be a dominant closer, definitely in the Eck or John Smoltz mold. I just wish Billy Beane would have seen that before he gave him away for a bunch of guys who will never contribute at Harden's level.