Other than Carlos Marmol, who has yet to blow a save since he was proclaimed the closer late last season, this Cubs team offers little in the way of relief.
Sure, there is Sean Marshall, but he can't pitch every day.
But the "cure" to the bullpen woes may not be solved by another Jason Frasor or Heath Bell rumor.
It may be eased if the team can figure out how to score more runs, so that every game is not a tightrope act.
Hey, the bullpen, except for the aforementioned Marshall and Marmol, has been bad.
Esmailin Caridad, who looked so good in a small stint last year, has struggled throwing anything off-speed, and has even struggled to control his fastball.
John Grabow is validating the many writers, fans, and assorted baseball people who pointed out that Jim Hendry overpaid for the left-hander.
When Joe Beimel can't find a job, and other similar lefties are available on the market for cheap, why did Hendry seem so intent of signing Grabow to a two-year deal?
On Saturday, Derrek Lee's leaping catch saved Grabow from himself. But he isn't fooling anybody out on the mound, he seems only able to fool the Cubs GM.
Grabow will make just under $5 million next season.
Yeah, I know, it's early. But when you have over a $140 million payroll, you mean to tell me that you can't afford even one proven veteran in your bullpen?
But Cubs starting pitching has looked good, Carlos Zambrano's opening day stint notwithstanding. But the bullpen and the offense are both not living up to its end of the bargain.
So maybe the best fix for the bullpen woes the Cubs have been facing is to start scoring more runs.
That will take some pressure off of the beleaguered bullpen and allow for some cushion on days when the starters aren't as good, like when Carlos Silva realizes he is Carlos Silva.
Thus far, the team slash line is .204/.270/.369. Only one NL team has hit more homers, yet only Houston has scored fewer runs.
The Cubs are dead last in the league in extra base hits. So far, maybe Rudy Jaramillo isn't the savior everyone has been gushing about.
Look, it isn't fair to pin this on the hitting coach. But to expect him to come in and single-handedly save the offense is wishful thinking.
Meanwhile, the bullpen struggles coincide with the poor hitting and the two put pressure on each other.
With the Cubs lack of offense, there will be a lot of close games, which makes the bullpen even more critical for the success of this club.
I don't know what the answer is, I really don't. Even if Hendry was able to increase the payroll, and it's way too early to think that will happen, who is out there for him to acquire?
All winter long, we heard the name Jason Frasor floating around, which seemed to make sense since he will be a free agent after the season, and it doens't appear that the Blue Jays are going anywhere this season.
But Frasor has saved three games for Toronto already, so they're getting good value from a closer they're paying less than $3 million to.
Of course, rumors occasionally surface about the availability of Heath Bell. But his $4 million salary isn't exactly breaking the Padres bank, and one has to wonder if he would be happy being a set-up man.
As for help for the offense, remember that part of the Cubs plan for this season was pinned on the hope that hitters like Soriano and Soto would rebound.
So far, they are a combined 4-for-32
Sean Marshall has been great since the start of spring training. Too bad he can't hit, also.
The Cubs have five regulars hitting less than the Mendoza line. Again, it's early but it's still troubling.
So is it the 'pen or the offense? Well, like the chicken or the egg, the answer really doesn't matter, you need both.
Score some runs, boys, and the 'pen will be able to breathe a little.
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