I keep telling myself that it is still very early in the year, but there’s no denying that the Cubs bullpen is not very good.  And for it to get better, a lot of guys will have to step up and have career years.  That’s easier said than done.

While the starting rotation has been surprisingly good (with the exception of Carlos Zambrano), the bullpen has stunk up the joint.  Esmailin Caridad was given the 8th inning set-up role based on a very good Spring Training, but he had a melt down in his very first outing.  After a total of just 2.2 innings pitched, Caridad was sent to the DL with a forearm injury.

John Grabow, Justin Berg, and Jeff Gray all have ERAs in excess of 6.00.  Jeff Samardjzia is leading that parade with a 16.20 ERA in 3.0 innings pitched.  Grabow and Samardjzia in particular were supposed to be a veteran counterbalance to rookies like Caridad, Berg, Gray, and James Russell.  Instead, they have helped lead the charge in the opposite direction.

James Russell has been a breath of fresh air in an otherwise disappointing bullpen.  In 4.1 innings of relief he has yet to give up an earned run.  Sean Marshall, who many would argue should be in the starting rotation, has looked go so far this year as well.  Going into Sunday’s game against the Astros, Marshall had pitched 7.0 innings and posting a 1.29 ERA.

Then there’s Carlos Marmol.  Man, he makes me nervous.  Even so, he has been good so far in this young season.  Going into Sunday’s game, Marmol was a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities.  He also had not allowed an earned run.  Unfortunately, he suffered his first blown save of the year on Sunday against the Astros.  He did not look good pitching against Houston’s rather anemic offense.  I don’t want to place too much importance on the blown save, but I’m afraid it is a precursor of things to come.  Unfortunately, I just don’t trust Marmol to handle the 9th inning.

At the moment, Sean Marshall is the only bullpen arm I really trust (in spite of getting knocked around a bit Sunday).  Russell is young and unproven, although he’s looked good so far.  Marmol is a train wreck waiting to happen.  The rest of the bullpen hasn’t given me any reason to have faith.

When Ted Lilly returns, either Tom Gorzelanny or Carlos Silva will move to the bullpen.  My hope is that that move will shore up the bullpen and maybe change the dynamic a bit out there.  If that doesn’t work, the Cubs don’t have a lot of options at their disposal.  I’d like to see them bring up Andrew Cashner, who I believe has a future as a set-up man or closer, but the Cubs seem to be intent on making him into a starter.  So my guess is that he’ll remain in the rotation at AA Tennessee.

There’s always the possibility the Cubs could make a trade for someone like Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, or even Heath Bell, but a move for any of the three would be expensive.  Plus, with the exception of Bell, I’m not sure they would be getting anything that they don’t already have available.

It has been great watching Ryan Dempster, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, and Randy Wells pitch so well in the early going this year.  Unfortunately, we’ve also had to suffer through the pain of watching the bullpen give away too many games.  And at the moment, there is no reason to believe that is going to change in the near future.