Does anyone have concerns with Howry?

[cubbyfanforever]

Guys, I foung this on a site.............Late inning reliever Bob Howry is off to a bad start, struggling in all three game he appeared in. His ERA currently stands at 16.87, and though he hasn't walked anyone, he has given up a lot of hits. I said before and I'll say it again, relievers need time to get going. They do not get much work in Spring and need to find their groove. However, Howry, 34, has pitched in a total of 162 games over the past two seasons, and it is possible that his arm is starting to feel the effects. If the Cubs can get their pitcher to the sixth or seventh inning, going with a Wuertz, Marmol, Wood tandem would close the door, in my opinion. But, they can't pitch everyday. Using Howry and the others in situations early might get him going, but for now, they just need to keep getting him work. There are not many relievers available right now, so the Cubs will probably keep working him till he finds his groove. A typical Cubs move, however, would be if he is still struggling after a couple of weeks, they would put him on the DL and call up one of their young relievers. Howry is in the final year of his contract, so a trade towards the end of the season could happen. The Cubs have been impressed by Howry's performance in the past two years though, so it is likely he will stay with the team beyond 2008.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

http://www.fogpog.com/showthread.php?t=3699

[ryno4ever]

Hmmmm.... I guess I think it's too early to tell. He has always struggled early, and really pulls through in the second half. He really helped us in the second half last year, and the way he keeps his composure on the mound under pressure is kinda priceless (I will never forget the fan charging him on the field...and the ball boy taking the drunk out! )

But we also do have the depth in the farm to help us out if Howry does need to go on the DL or get traded, although you can't replace the experience.

[cubbyfanforever]

http://www.fogpog.com/showthread.php?t=3699

Yes, I forgot there was a thread on this, the Mods can move it.

[SkullKey]

Late inning reliever Bob Howry is off to a bad start, struggling in all three game he appeared in. His ERA currently stands at 16.87, and though he hasn't walked anyone, he has given up a lot of hits. I said before and I'll say it again, relievers need time to get going. They do not get much work in Spring and need to find their groove. However, Howry, 34, has pitched in a total of 162 games over the past two seasons, and it is possible that his arm is starting to feel the effects. If the Cubs can get their pitcher to the sixth or seventh inning, going with a Wuertz, Marmol, Wood tandem would close the door, in my opinion. But, they can't pitch everyday. Using Howry and the others in situations early might get him going, but for now, they just need to keep getting him work. There are not many relievers available right now, so the Cubs will probably keep working him till he finds his groove. A typical Cubs move, however, would be if he is still struggling after a couple of weeks, they would put him on the DL and call up one of their young relievers. Howry is in the final year of his contract, so a trade towards the end of the season could happen. The Cubs have been impressed by Howry's performance in the past two years though, so it is likely he will stay with the team beyond 2008.

I am inclined to agree with what you say. Howry worries me but I have difficulty quantifying why. In 2007, like most years, his numbers end up looking pretty good but I clearly remember many performances similar to what he has been turning in so far this year. He scares and infuriates me when he pitches like he is pitching now.

" ... relievers need time to get going. They do not get much work in Spring and need to find their groove ... "

I would guess this is a major factor; he starts really slowly, unfortunately it costs the team until he gets going because when he is bad: he is bad. I took a look at his stats & splits and noticed a couple of things.

Maybe he needs to be a situational specialist at this point; his difference between righties and lefties is dramatic: Righties hit .283/.312/.433 against him / Lefties hit .192/.266/.300. His ERA is over a full run higher with more BB in less innings pitched on the road. His ERA drops dramatically after about 50 innings pitched (these are career numbers). His K's double after about 25 innings pitched. His Batting-Average-Against with men on base is .317: bases empty .196. On 1 day rest his ERA is under 2.00 but with 0, 2 or 3 days rest it is over (to well over) 4.00.

When did M Barrett leave? It coincided with Howry's return to consistent respectability didn't it? The numbers hint at that. With Barrett behind the plate his line against was: .277/.36/.429. With Jason Kendall: .211/.265/.326. H Blanco's numbers represent a very small sample but are dramatic: .143/.143/.429. (1 guy hit a 3B in 7 AB - no BB, 2K). Howry's numbers with Koyie Hill behind the plate (in a decent Sample) were much better than with Barrett. His numbers with Soto are (no 'pun' intended) so-so. Maybe he should work with Blanco more?

I think he will be traded and Weurtz will assume his role.