This afternoon, the Chicago Cubs designated relief pitcher Scott Eyre for assignment.  Eyre struggled this season going 2-0 with a 7.15 ERA in 19 relief appearances.  With Kerry Wood returning from the disabled list, the underachieving Eyre was the odd man out.  The Cubs now have seven days to trade him, or he will be a free agent (if he doesn’t accept an assignment to Triple-A).

So what does this mean for the Phillies?

Let’s see…  A left-handed reliever who is available and can be had for next to nothing?  Pat Gillick’s mouth is already watering.  This is the kind of player Gillick is known for getting to give his team a lift near the end of the regular season.  If worked last season with J.C. Romero, why wouldn’t it work with a guy like Eyre?

As ugly as Eyre’s numbers are, there is a chance that could happen.  Eyre’s ugly ERA was inflated by allowing eight earned runs over his last three appearances (one inning pitched).  In his prior 16 appearances (nine and a third inings), Eyre only allowed one run.

All isn’t great with Eyre though.  His numbers have gotten progressively worse since a strong 2004 season  Both his ERA (2.63, 3.38, 4.13, 7.15 – respectively) and opposing batting average (.200, 265, 294, .326) have ballooned each passing season.

It’s a crap shoot either way, but the only way I can possibly seeing Eyre being effective is if he’s used strictly as a left-handed specialist.  Ironically that is exactly what the Phillies need.

Should the Phillies make a move regarding Eyre, don’t expect it to happen for at least a week.  If the Phillies acquire him via trade they well be on the hook for the $1 million he’s owed for the rest of the season (unless the Cubs eat salary).  Should they wait a week and he becomes a free agent, the Phillies can sign him for the pro-rated league minimum.