The Cubs denied a report that Bob Howry was signed after clearing waivers Wednesday, though they are interested in the veteran right-hander.
Howry, a former Cubs set-up man who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Arizona, was waived after giving up 17 runs in 14 1/3 innings, including six home runs. He posted a 3.39 ERA for San Francisco last season in 63 appearances.
The Cubs are searching for a right-handed middle reliever, and Howry has long been a favorite of general manager Jim Hendry. Howry has traditionally been a slow starter who picked up velocity as the season went on.
The Cubs could take a gamble and hope that whatever his problems were with Arizona can be fixed by pitching coach Larry Rothschild. But whether Howry wants to continue to pitch is unknown. He considered retirement last winter before signing with the Diamondbacks.
If the Cubs bring him in, it wouldn't be as a set-up man, but as a sixth or seventh inning reliever.
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NATCHURALLY, since HOWRY had established such fine productive #'s, the CUBS and their idiot G.M. protem JIM HENDRY would be interested in acquiring him again. As another poster suggested, didn't the CUBS learn from their past mistakes ??? ONCE AGAIN, THE LONGER THAT HENDRY AND PINIELLA ARE AROUND, THE LONGER IT WILL BE FOR THE NORTHSIDERS TO ELIMINATE THAT ITALIAN INFERENCE BEYOND THE OUTFIELD WALL !!! And now I hear that those ding bats are going to re-establish CARLOS ZAMBRANO as a starter again ??? The only thing he should be starting is the packing of his bags for a permanent departation of the team and city !!!
Didn't the learn anything from the last time they had him?
I for one hope they do not sign BOB HOWRY.....I believe in working within our farm system...I believe that the young guys the Cubs have now can provide what the current staff is lacking...Why sign another free agent??? and give him all that money...one player can't solve the CUBS problems...I would bring up at least two relievers but I believe the problem is more a line up problem then a bullpen problem every team deals with slow starts and it's not just the line up....the Cubs need to deal one startering pitcher for one big bat....but who should go???? but that's my opinion.....perry.fritz@ymail.com thanks perry
You're all right on about Howry being on a down slide or basically done, but what you don't rememeber O.M.F.G. is that Howry was great in his 1st and 2nd years with the CUBS. It wasn't until his 3rd year that he got bad, I think Hendry is trying to find lightning in a bottle and old bottle that's empty. All we can hope for as CUBS fans is that being back with the CUBS and at Wrigley will rejuvinate Howry and make him see that the club has confidence in him and hopefully that will give him confidence and he'll be a some what of the pitcher he was in his 1st and 2nd years here.
Attention all GM Wannabees............Hendry DID make a pretty good trade by getting rid of Milton Bradley for Silva, who is 4-0 so far....But I understand that this does not fit your Hendry Hatred template.
This willl be a disaster! He was absolutely horible with the D-Backs and it won't get better in Chicago. Howry needs to take his 2 mil and retire.
let's bring back remlinger while we're at it. get the whole band back together
Gee, let's check out his available pitches. #1:A fastball that tops out around 90....and is usually located going right down the middle of the plate. #2: A fastball that tops out around 90...and goes right down the middle. Are you kidding me??
Why not La Troy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth too?
Why not La Troy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth too?
Desperation is a stinky cologne.
is lindy Mcdaniel available? how about lee smith? if there is any truth to this--fire this clown immediately!
I must ask this question: WHY????
This is what they pay Jim Hendry to do? Possibly sign retreads that have no tread left? He has done absolutely nothing to sure up this very weak bull pen. He fits right in with the high paid players who have to do nothing to earn their paychecks.
Sickening!
Not a good move at all. Sounds Jim Hendry is at it again
Please DO NOT bring back Bob Howry! He was horrible with the Cubs. Doesn't Mr. Rickett remembers?