MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:48 am EDT

Activation of Wood spells end for Eyre with Cubs

By Joe Zedalis

Scott Eyre

Getty Images

Manager Lou Piniella won't have to worry about getting Scott Eyre's name wrong anymore. As expected, Eyre was the odd man out when the Cubs activated closer Kerry Wood from the disabled list Tuesday. The Cubs designated Eyre for assignment and have seven days to trade or release the lefty reliever, who has cleared waivers and is owed about $1.2 million more in salary this season.

''I enjoyed my time here in Chicago, and I wish it would have turned out different,'' said Eyre, who choked back emotion several times during a brief media session. ''The hardest part is saying goodbye to teammates.''

Eyre, 36, had a strong 2006 season for the Cubs before starting slowly in '07 and quickly falling out of favor with Piniella, who spent much of the season calling him ''Stevie'' or ''Ire.'' By the time Eyre came back last month from a second stretch on the disabled list, there was no place for him.

''I did that to myself last year in the first half,'' he said. ''I don't think Lou ever got over that. That's fine. I have no ill feelings, and I mean that truly.''

Wood, who hadn't pitched since July 11 because of a blister on his right index finger, pitched a scoreless eighth inning Tuesday, allowing a single.

Source: Sun-TimesNew Window

digg delicious
more

28 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Wanda S
    1. Posted by Wanda S Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is the year the cubs win it all
  2. SPIKE
    2. Posted by SPIKE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Scott Eyre is a stud PERIOD! First class guy all the way. The man needs to land in Boston. Lou is ignorant and errogant and missed out on a rare person!
  3. jeffutlaw
    3. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Lou never did seem to have confidence in Eyre. Even after his scoreless appearance streak early in the year. But he does continue to toss Howry out in pressure situations.
    Glad to see Eyre has no ill will, I wish him luck.
  4. jeffutlaw
    4. Posted by jeffutlaw Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Spike, unless you're shooting for irony, don't call someone ignorant and misspell "arrogant".
    I hope Eyre does land on his feet.
    I'll root for him in Boston.
  5. Jason J
    5. Posted by Jason J Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eyre is a class act all the way. I hope he does well wherever he goes. Go Cubs!
  6. Tony
    6. Posted by Tony Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cubs are loaded with power defense and pitching. an embarrassment of riches. perfect to win it all. go cubs
  7. Andy B
    7. Posted by Andy B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eyre did pitch very well at times of us, but was in Lou's doghouse too often. The fact that we are willing to just cut a quality lefty reliever when everyone is looking for one tells you how good this bullpen and team are this year. This is the year of the Cubs. We need to figure out what to do with Howry now though; he has not pitched well. Howry should not be pitching much in 7th, 8th, or 9th though now that Wood is back as I see Wood, Marmol, and Samardzija handling those innings. Best of luck to Scott as he does seem to be a quality guy. I am surprised that a team like the Cardinals, Boston, or Yankees have not tried to obtain him from us.
  8. davemcbride08
    8. Posted by davemcbride08 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Phillies should get this guy to help out J.C. Romero in the bullpen. Romero has been worn down and now the phils have lefties from the minor leagues to try and help out but i would rather them get a guy like eyre who from what i've seen on t.v. when the cubs are on espn or somethin he's a pretty good pitcher.
  9. TAYSLACKER
    9. Posted by TAYSLACKER Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I thought Eyre was one of the biggest pickups when the Cubs got him and Howry. Eyre worked his way to where he is. He started out great and slowly became the guy that noone had faith in. But I don't see how he gets sent for assignment and Cotts stays on the team. Eyre has had his troubles, but he is more reliable that Cotts Sucker, as he is lovingly refered to in Chicago. I really hope Eyre has success in the future. He is left handed, so there are only about 12 teams that will gladly take him off the Cubs' hands. What we need to do is sit Howry and have all of his work defered to Samardija and Gaudin. Howry is like herpes this year. Noone likes what he does and yet he keeps popping up in games.
    Go Cubs Go!!
  10. Ted
    10. Posted by Ted Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Any way you look at it! the hunt for cubs october has begun!
  11. Doubting Thomas
    11. Posted by Doubting Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm sorry for being ignorant here...but WHY do the Cubs have to let him go? Why can't we send him down to AAA? The chances that the Cubs won't have an injured pitcher between now and October is slim. The Cubs will let him go, then suddenly find out they need another pitcher in a few weeks time...watch.
  12. Phil M
    12. Posted by Phil M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Doubting Thomas, "designated for assignment" is sending them to the minors, he just has the option of not reporting due to his status as a veteran....A major league club can only have so many guys on their active roster and some of those spots include guys in the minors currently (I wanna say 40-man roster)
    its one in the same if no one tries to claim him off waivers....they can trade for him, have him dumped on them by the cubs or the cubs can say "nah, we're keeping him"
  13. bachhus74
    13. Posted by bachhus74 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The only thing I don't understand is why the Cubs didn't try to move him before the deadline. Though he's struggled so far Eyre does have some value. They could have gotten atleast a low level prospect or two for him. Hopefully they can work out something before his official release occurs.
  14. Keith B
    14. Posted by Keith B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Eyre did have some bright moments this season. Howry can sometimes make a game too exciting. But as someone says above the Cubs do suffer an embarassment of riches at the position.
    By the way did anybody think that Edmonds would fare this well after his pick up? 48 games and counting.
  15. bachhus74
    15. Posted by bachhus74 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Kinda bad timing on asking about how good the Edmonds pickup was. That misplay in CF today caused 4 runs. Overall though I admit he's exceeded my expectations.
  16. Keith B
    16. Posted by Keith B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yeah well the question was placed before the miscue.......what are ya goona do. Seems Marquis has bad luck this year.
  17. Keith B
    17. Posted by Keith B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Can't see the game and the Box Score just shows a double by Matsui, I take it Edmonds should of caught that huh.
  18. bachhus74
    18. Posted by bachhus74 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    yeah he lost it in the sun, the typical sun glasses sitting on top of his hat maneuver. But he more or less has made up for it now , he walked with 2 outs and DeRosa hit a granny! Only 8 runs this inning!
  19. Keith B
    19. Posted by Keith B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yeah I see Soriano and Kosuke came through as well hey even Marquis got into the act.........
    Go Cubbies!!!!! The bats are going strong today.
  20. bachhus74
    20. Posted by bachhus74 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yep they did and I'm pretty sure all the damage with 2 outs in the inning. Hopefully Marquis can hold them still pretty early.
  21. chicagofan
    21. Posted by chicagofan Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i liked eyre, if he was ever pitched maybe he would be better, he was on the bench in bullpen sucking on sunflower seeds waiting for lou to call him. Well i hope this doesn't come to bit them in the arse. But go cubs all the way.
  22. sfgiants8920
    22. Posted by sfgiants8920 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Scott come back the city by the bay!!!
  23. J R
    23. Posted by J R Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I would rather keep Eyre and let Howry go. WAY too many HR's given up by big Bob.
  24. A Yahoo! User
    24. Posted by A Yahoo! User Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:43 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Tang!
  25. elhabib
    25. Posted by elhabib Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I am sorry to disagree, but I think the Cubs bullpen is better off without Eyre. I think Howry is on the fence too, but Eyre has an ERA over 7.00! I'm a diehard Cub fan, and I know I was worried every time he was brought in the game during a clutch situation. I 'd much rather have Gaudin or Samardzija on the mound.

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

More Rumors

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]