Just a thought

[SKIPPER 11]

Okay we are taking a chance with BJ Ryan, why not do the same with Smoltz for the pen. If he wants to start then forget it. I didnt pay any attn to his velocity with the BoSox either. Just a vet P who has been a great closer in the past. With our pen situation the way it is, he could at least make a run for being the 7th inning guy.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Bj said " tear up the contract I'm going home " .

[SKIPPER 11]

Smoltz wants it though. He is hungry.

[SenseCommon]

Justin Speier and John Smoltz are both worth a look.

The pen definitely needs a shakeup.

Guzman should be the 7th-8th inning guy. He's been the Cubs best reliever this season.

The closer is an overrated position. I'd rather have terrible home run Gregg in there over wild Marmol. I can't wait to get draft picks for Gregg after he's gone next season. And the Cubs should sell high on Marmol, along with Lilly, Wells, and Fox. But that discussion is for another time.

Heilman needs to be scaled back and only used in games where the cubs are either up or down big.

Grabow has a nice role, and has done a good job with the Cubs.

I do not wanna see Stevens or Samardzija in the Cubs pen anymore.

So yea, go out and get a Justin Speier or John Smoltz to help out the pen.

[ryno4ever]

I would really like to see Marmol go down to Iowa and work out his control issues. We know the good Marmol is there and that is the one that will help us... the Marmol we see now is a train wreck and needs to be fixed, but not at the expense of losing games due to his wildness.

Smoltz can't be any worse than Stevens, Samardjza, and Heilmann. He's a proven winner and would be a good veteran presence in that pen.