Cubs have eye on Howry to help bolster bullpen

Despite their need for outfielders and a leadoff hitter, the Cubs seem intent on improving their bullpen first this winter.Less than a week after signing left-handed setup man Scott Eyre, the Cubs may be close to landing right-handed setup man Bobby Howry, a free agent from Cleveland.Howry had been seeking $4 million for each of three years from the Indians, a price the Cubs apparently are willing to pay. The Indians would give him that much only if he were their closer, but right now they are pursuing free agent B.J. Ryan for that role.Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was not available for comment Tuesday and Howry's agent, Craig Landis, did not return a call. But according to a report in New Jersey, Howry was close to signing.Howry, like Eyre a former White Sox pitcher, was 7-4 with a 2.47 ERA in 79 games for the Indians, and had a 0.99 ERA in the second half. He allowed only four homers and 16 walks in 73 innings. The two relievers would replace the departed Mike Remlinger and LaTroy Hawkins in setting up closer Ryan Dempster.The rest of the Cubs' bullpen—left-hander Will Ohman and righties Michael Wuertz and Roberto Novoa—is young and inexperienced.